Minute of meeting of 17 June 2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 5 February 2025
Back to Finance and Resources Committee — 5 February 2025 and its agenda
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Perth and Kinross Council Finance and Resources Committee Employees Joint Consultative Committee Minute of hybrid meeting of the Employees Joint Consultative Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 17 June 2024 at 2.00pm. Present: Representing Perth and Kinross Council: Councillors B Leishman, S McCole and J Rebbeck. Present: Representing Trade Unions: S Hope (UNISON) (Item 6 onwards) N Ferry (UNISON) C Weston (EIS) (Up to Item 9) K Currie (Unite the Union) J Kettle (SSTA) (Up to Item 9) In Attendance: L Hamilton, P Johnstone, L McGeorge, F Thomson, and J Guild (all Strategy, People and Resources); F MacKay (Economy, Place and Learning). Apologies: Councillor C Reid, S Robertson, V Leonard and S Topen-Cooper, Councillor S McCole in the Chair. 1. Welcome and Apologies Councillor McCole welcomed all present to the meeting and apologies were noted as above. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. Minute of Meeting of the Employees Joint Consultative Committee of 18 March 2024 for Approval The minute of meeting of the Employees Joint Consultative Committee of 18 March 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Matters Arising There were no matters arising. 5. Health and Safety Performance Report Quarter 4 – 2023/24 There was a report submitted by Strategic Lead – Strategic Planning, People and Performance (G/24/80) informing and assisting the Employees Joint
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Consultative Committee in monitoring health and safety compliance and performance across Perth and Kinross Council and providing an overview of health and safety activities undertaken. In response to a question from Councillor Leishman regarding historical verbal abuse at housing locality offices, L Hamilton advised that the majority of incidents are within schools and while there is no specific concern for other areas, management tools are in place to support staff as appropriate. In response to a question from Councillor McCole re updated staff training for incident de-escalation, L Hamilton confirmed there are plans being established for face to face de-escalation training to be developed within the next calendar year. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/80, be noted. S HOPE JOINED THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. 6. Fire Safety Quarterly Report – Quarter 4 – 2023/24 There was a report submitted by Strategic Lead – Strategic Planning, People and Performance (G/24/81) informing and assisting the Employees Joint Consultative Committee in monitoring fire safety performance across Perth and Kinross Council and providing an overview of fire safety activities undertaken. In response to a question from Councillor McCole regarding public awareness of safe battery disposal, L Hamilton advised that Waste Services are working to produce communications to educate the public on correct disposal of batteries. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/81, be noted. 7. Proposed New Health and Safety Consultative Service Committees L Hamilton, Health and Safety Team Leader, provided a verbal update on the replacement of service level Health and Safety Committees within Perth and Kinross Council. L Hamilton advised the current three committees will merge to form one committee going forward, as a reflection of the structural change within the organisation. L Hamilton added that the format of reporting to EJCC may change as a result, and there will be a transition period as the merge takes place, however historic data will remain available. In response to a request from Councillor McCole for the Convener and Vice Convener to be kept up to date regarding any change in to reporting to the EJCC, L Hamilton agreed this would be accommodated. The Committee noted the update.
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8. Property Services Highlight Report There was submitted a report by the Strategic Lead – Property Services (G/24/82) informing the Employees Joint Consultative Committee on current Property Services monitoring and management arrangements which are in place to ensure the safety of all building users and members of the public who have access to Council buildings and associated facilities. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/82, be noted. 9. Staff Reporting: Incidents of Violence/Aggression and Incidents of Distressed/Challenging Behaviour in Education Settings, Term 3 – 2023/24 There was a report submitted by the Strategic Lead – Education and Learning (G/24/83) informing the Employees Joint Consultative Committee of the Education Service’s performance in managing and reducing incidents of violence and aggression or distressed and challenging behaviour that have impacted staff in the workplace. The report provided a summary of the information gathered in Term 3 of the academic year 2023/24 in relation to incidents in schools and other educational settings which resulted in an emotional or physical impact on another member of staff. It also provided information on the activity of an established Working Group to prevent and reduce the number of incidents. In response to a question from C Weston regarding an action plan for improvement following reporting of incidents, F Mackay confirmed it is an intention of the working group for an action plan to be developed. F Mackay also confirmed the working group are looking to establish communications to our workforce and stakeholders regarding ongoing activity, the importance of reporting incidents and outcomes. In response to a request from Councillor McCole to ensure the action plan is time bound and able to measure success, F Mackay agreed this would be implemented. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/83, be noted. (C Weston and J Kettle left the Meeting at this Point.) 10. Violence at Work Charter There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/84) proposing a way forward with regard to the suggestion that Perth and Kinross Council sign up to the Unison Violence at Work Charter as suggested at the meeting of Employees Joint Consultative Committee in March 2024.
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In introducing the report, P Johnstone advised the Charter has been reviewed there are suggested areas of work to address in the first instance, with a view to signing the Charter in 12 months time. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report G/24/84, be noted. (ii) Development and implementation of an action plan, using the improvements which have been identified, for completion in 12 months at which point formal commitment to the Charter can be made, be agreed. 11. Health and Wellbeing Update There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/85) providing an update on current health and wellbeing data and current health and wellbeing activities. In response to a question from Councillor Rebbeck regarding flexible working and impact on health and wellbeing, F Thomson confirmed that while flexible working is not available for all staff, it is seen as a positive. F Thomson added that the Council’s hybrid working guidance has been in place since April and any impact will be evidenced in the next quarters report to Committee. S Hope reiterated the importance of training for managers on dealing with Health and Wellbeing, especially with restructuring within HR. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/85, be noted. 12. Mental Health Support Update There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/86) providing information on the performance of the first year of the Vivup Your Care Employee Assistance Programme and other activity related to supporting employee mental health. Councillor McCole advised she is pleased to see interventions in place to improve absences. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/86, be noted. 13. Fair Work Activity There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/87) providing an update on the activity agreed at Finance and Resources Committee in November 2023 to support the implementation of Fair Work First. In introducing the report P Johnstone advised all Councils are required to publish a statement indicating their commitment to the Fair Work principles in order to access grant funding but signature is required from Trade Unions. The Council has published a statement that is currently unsigned.
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In response to a question from Councillor Rebbeck regarding the purpose of the funding, P Johnstone advised this can be used by the Council or reallocated to third parties and may result in the delay of appointed projects if not secured. In response to a question from Councillor McCole querying what is causing the delay in signing the statement, S Hope advised that whilst Unison are happy with the majority of what happens within PKC in relation to Fair Work, they have been advised by Unison to wait on a national position. P Johnstone advised in the absence of a signed statement PKC have had to supply additional acceptable evidence to Scottish Government, in order to secure the funding. Councillor McCole urged all parties to reach a resolution as soon as possible. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report G/24/87, be noted. (ii) The proposal for further meaningful engagement between the Council and recognised Trade Unions with a view to agreeing the required Fair Work First statement and making a public commitment to its content, be agreed. 14. Workplace Equality Fund Project Update There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/88) providing information on action that the Council is taking to be a more inclusive employer, specifically around neurodiversity. Councillor Rebbeck thanked officers for their excellent work in relation to this project. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/88, be noted. 15. Newly Qualified Social Worker Recruitment There was a report submitted by Corporate HR Manager (G/24/89) proposing a revised approach to utilise positive experience with social work students to address ongoing recruitment challenges in this area. Councillor Rebbeck thanked officers for their pragmatic approach to an ongoing issue. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report G/24/89, be noted. (ii) The proposal to use selective ring-fenced recruitment to ensure that newly qualified social workers are provided with direct access to vacancies, be agreed.
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16. Employee Survey P Johnstone, Corporate HR Manager, provided an update to members on the Employee Survey which closed on 31 May 2024. P Johnstone extended her thanks to the Unions for their contribution to the design of the survey questions and promoting with their members to complete. P Johnstone advised engagement has increased since the last employee survey, from 27% to 47%, and analysis of results is ongoing. Full results and guidance for discussion with teams will be shared later this month and this should aid discussions to establish actions locally. The Committee noted the update. 17. Any Other Competent Business P Johnstone reminded those present that the People and Culture Strategy has now been signed by Finance and Resources Committee and extended her thanks to the Trade Unions for their involvement. P Johnstone advised this is an ongoing piece of work with the strategy spanning four years. 18. Date of Next Meeting 16 September 2024