Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Employment Committee held on 18 June 2013 (and exempt appendix) be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

(Please note that if any discussion is needed on the exempt appendix this will have to be in exempt session)

The purpose of this item is to make an appointment to the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel to serve for two years from 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2015.

The nominee must be an elected member and should have a grasp of financial issues and be prepared to commit time to the duties involved, including the requirement to undergo training on local government pension funds and their investment. There is no remuneration for this role. Expenses can be claimed under Portsmouth's scheme of allowances for meetings outside the city.

This vacancy was advertised on the Members' Information Service (MIS) on Friday 16 August 2013 and one volunteer, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has put his name forward.

RECOMMENDED that Councillor Gerald Vernon Jackson be appointed to serve on the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel for the period 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2015 subject to his remaining an elected member of Portsmouth City Council.

The purpose of the report is to inform Employment Committee of the impact of a one day Christmas Closure for Friday 27 December 2013 (sandwich day).

RECOMMENDED

      I.        That Employment Committee agree for Christmas Closure to be implemented for 27^th December 2013, for the Civic Offices and non-essential services out stations.

    II.        That all employees are given additional leave to take account of the Christmas Closure (pro rata'd for part time workers)       

   III.        That those staff required to work are given time off in lieu at a later date

  IV.        For Heads of Service to determine which staff will be required to work, based on essential service delivery requirements

The purpose of the report is to:

              i.        Advise members of the current sickness absence levels

            ii.        Update members on the matters considered by the Sickness Absence Working Group 

           iii.        Advise members about actions currently being undertaken in the HR, Legal and Performance Service to support managers in tackling sickness absence

RECOMMENDED that Members note the current levels of sickness absence across the council and the on-going efforts of members and officers to reduce sickness absence.

The purpose of this report is to provide members with an update on the:

·         progress of Apprenticeships within PCC and

·         national and local context regarding apprenticeships

 RECOMMENDED that Members note the continued success of the Apprenticeship Programme within PCC and to maintain support for the programme.

The date of the next scheduled meeting is 3 December 2013

That in view of the contents of the following items on the agenda the Committee is RECOMMENDED to adopt the following motion:

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item(s) on the grounds that the report(s) contain information defined as exempt in section 100l and by reference Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972”.

Although there is a public interest favouring public access to local authority meetings, given the legally privileged and commercially sensitive information contained in the report, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the (exempt) information.

(NB     The exempt/confidential committee papers on the agenda will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties.  Members are reminded of standing order restrictions on the disclosure of exempt information and are invited to return their exempt documentation to the Democratic Support Officer at the conclusion of the meeting for shredding.)

Item                                                                            Exemption Para No.*

10                                                                                3 and 4

*Paragraph Exemption Nos:

3.Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

4. Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between Portsmouth City Council and employees and

Background list of documents: Section 100D Local government Act 1972 – None, other than where mentioned at the end of individual reports.