Agenda and minutes

36/21 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTITUTES: Notification had been received that Councillor Robert Windass was to act as substitute for Councillor Zoe Metcalfe. An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Graham Swift.

(2.00 pm)

Members to advise of any declarations of interest.

37/21 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest.

(2.00 pm)

of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 September 2021.

38/21 – MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 September 2021 were unanimously approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 (2.03 pm)

To determine whether to exclude the press and public during the consideration of any exempt information items.

39/21 – EXEMPT INFORMATION:

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY):

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, the meeting be not open to the public during the discussion of Minute 41/21 as there will be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 100I of the Act.

The exempt information in question relates to individuals and the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

 (2.04 pm)

To consider any questions under Standing Order 27.

40/21 – PUBLIC ARRANGEMENTS – QUESTIONS: There were no questions to consider under Standing Order 27.

(2.05 pm)

The Head of Parks & Environmental Services to submit a written report.

41/21 – PARKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES REVIEW – STAGE 2: The Head of Parks and Environmental Services (HoPES) submitted a written report which sought approval for the Parks and Environmental Services (PES) service structure for implementation from 1 December 2021, as set out in exempt appendix 1. On 20 May 2021 a new senior management structure was approved by Human Resources Committee to support the delivery of PES functions and to address the challenges that the service had previously been faced with. The initial structure had undergone a 30 day consultation period with the affected employees and the Trade Unions. The consultation feedback received was set out at exempt Appendix 4 and had been considered and incorporated into the final service structure proposals as detailed at paragraph 5.2 of the report. The draft assimilation document was attached at exempt Appendix 5 where all job descriptions had been reviewed and new job descriptions were written when required. The briefing document and FAQs issued to employees outlining the reasons for the review were attached at exempt Appendices 2 and 3.

The proposed structure had been supported by Management Board on Monday 7 November 2021 and had been developed in response to the changing needs of the service and future challenges likely to need responding to. The HoPES explained that the new structure would build capacity to enable commercial activities to be explored and optimum service efficiency as a result of the alignment of resources and teams to the new management structure. The Committee was asked to note the net zero cost of the overall service review. It was highlighted that following the implementation of the revised structure, support would be better embedded in the service area due to the introduction of 15 apprenticeship positions and greater career progression opportunities through a career graded structure within the Parks and Grounds Maintenance Team.

It was agreed that the Committee Members’ comments of praise regarding the excellent work that had been achieved by the service would be relayed back to the PES team.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY):

That   (1) the new Parks and Environmental Services (PES) service structure at Appendix 1 of the report is approved for implementation from 1 December 2021; and

(2) the net zero cost of the overall review is noted.

(Minute dealt with in exempt session.)

(2.05 pm – 2.42 pm)

(D)