Minute of meeting of 9 December 2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 30 April 2025
Back to Finance and Resources Committee — 30 April 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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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 Room 410, 2 High Street, Perth on Monday 9 December 2024 at 2.00pm. Present: Representing Perth and Kinross Council: Councillors K Allan, S McCole and J Rebbeck (Item 8 onwards). Present: Representing Trade Unions: N Ferry (UNISON) S Hope (UNISON) S Topen-Cooper (NASUWT) C Weston (EIS) (up to and including Item 8) In Attendance: J Guild, L Hamilton, P Johnstone, C Judge, F MacKay, L McGeorge and F Thomson. Apologies: V Leonard, M Mackie and S Robertson. S Hope in the Chair. 1. Welcome and Apologies S Hope 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 16 September 2024 For Approval The minute of meeting of the Employees Joint Consultative Committee of 16 September 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Matters Arising (i) H&S Consultative Committees L Hamilton advised there has been a slight delay in establishment of the Committees and the framework will be in place by March 2025 with the first meeting to be arranged thereafter. (ii) Employee Survey Action Points F Thomson advised that organisation wide themes have been identified while actions continue to be taken forward by individual managers. Some actions
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are already in place i.e. Health and Wellbeing so promotion will be increased and with relevant progressions made as required. (iii) Fair Work First F Thomson advised that Scottish Government guidance recently received now makes specific reference to equality requirements and a meeting to progress any related actions will be held with the Trade Unions in the new year. 5. Health nd Safety Performance Report Quarter 2 – July-September 2024/25 There was a report submitted by the Corporate Health and Safety Team Leader (G/24/199) informing and assisting the Employees Joint 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 S Topen-Cooper regarding resolution of staff absences of longer than 7 days following incidents at work, L Hamilton confirmed 3 of 5 have returned to work but she could not comment on individual supports in place. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/199, be noted. 6. FIRE SAFETY QUARTERLY REPORT – QUARTER 2 – JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024/25 There was a report submitted by the Strategic Lead – Strategic Planning, People and Performance (G/24/200) 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 the use of a nebuliser setting off a fire alarm at Fairview School, L Hamilton advised she would provide more information in due course and further advised the establishment will be reprioritised for fire risk assessment. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/200, be noted. 7. Staff Reporting: Incidents of Violence/Aggression and Incidents of Distressed/Challenging Behaviour In Education Settings, Term 1 2024/25 There was a report submitted by the Strategic Lead – Education and Learning (G/24/201) informing 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 provides a summary of the
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information gathered in Term 1 of academic year 2024/2025 in relation to staff reports of incidents in schools and other educational settings which had an emotional or physical impact on them. It also provides 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 in relation to the process for reporting and how many reports are returned within the timescale, F MacKay advised she will explore and feedback in due course. F MacKay added it is the responsibility of the headteacher to acknowledge the report has been received and provide initial supports during the debrief with the involved staff member. F MacKay further advised there is to be CALM training for headteachers and managers to support consistency in relation to debriefing. In response to another question from C Weston regarding additional supports for Teachers in the first terms of Primary 1 in response to the reported figures, F MacKay advised that additional staff and funding has been committed, however, feedback from Headteachers often reflects Term 1 as a settling in period which is likely to be reflected in Term 2 data. In response to a third question from C Weston regarding clear expectations and consequences for acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour, F MacKay advised that further advice would be sought from S Turner, Inclusion Service Manager. In response to a question from S Topen-Cooper in relation to the online videos regarding acceptable behaviours and consequences but lack of specific definitions for staff and uncertainty this is causing, F MacKay advised that it is challenging to give a clear definition which will fit every situation, however, Headteachers should be aware of parameters and Codes of Conduct from GTCS. P Johnstone added that PKC have clear guidelines in relation to de-escalation and laying on hands (Physical Intervention Policy). P Johnstone added this will be reinforced to raise awareness but is also due to be reviewed in line with new national guidance. In response to another question from S Topen-Cooper regarding staff reporting no difference in the short term due to the length of reporting processes and whether access to the reporting system could be more readily available on staff computers, F MacKay agreed this could be looked into. In response to a question from S Hope regarding transitional planning between nursery and Primary 1, F MacKay advised information and arrangements to develop relationships between pupils and staff in advance is being developed for all Council run and private nurseries. F MacKay added that transitions between year groups at all levels are also being enhanced. In response to a question from Councillor McCole regarding a correlation between incidents of violence and aggression or distressed and challenging behaviour and whether children have been in a nursery setting prior to starting
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school, F MacKay advised that the majority of children have been through an early learning setting but acknowledged that it can cause issues with planning if they haven’t. F MacKay added that earlier intervention with early learning settings is part of ongoing work in relation to the ASN transformation. P Johnstone added that the Poverty Action Group is also looking at any correlation with families and young people who may have additional support needs. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/201, be noted. (Councillor J Rebbeck joined the meeting at this point.) 8. Unison Violence and Aggression Survey There was a slide-based presentation delivered by N Ferry, UNISON, sharing the initial results of a recent staff survey. Full results will be shared with the Committee by email with further updates comparing results to the 10 point charter, brought to the next meeting. Resolved: The contents of the presentation, be noted. (C Weston left the meeting at this point.) 9. Modern Apprentice Programme Update There was a report submitted by the People and Culture Manager (G/24/202) providing an update to the Employee Joint Consultative Committee, on the achievements of the Councils’ Modern Apprentice Programme over the past year. L McGeorge commented on the successful experience of engaging a Modern Apprentice in her team, and hope to be able to offer them a permanent position in future. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/202, be noted. 10. Health and Wellbeing Update There was a report submitted by the People and Culture Manager (G/24/298) providing an update on current Health and Wellbeing data and current Health and Wellbeing activities. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/198, be noted.
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11. Equalities Update There was a report submitted by the People and Culture Manager (G/24/203) providing an update on recent and planned employment equality activities within Perth & Kinross Council, reinforcing our commitment to an inclusive workplace. Additional information from the Housing and Communities Equalities Team Leader was also shared. S Hope added his thanks to C Judge, People and Culture Team Leader, and D McPhee, Equalities Team Leader, for their ongoing work. Resolved: The contents of Report G/24/203, be noted. 12. Worker Protection Act (Amendment Of Equality Act 2010) 2024 P Johnstone advised the Employees Joint Consultative Committee of a new duty which came into force on 26 October 2024 to prevent sexual harassment in the course of employment. Work is ongoing with Unions and others to capture data, develop an appropriate reporting mechanism and raise awareness. Resolved: The Committee noted the position. 13. Vacancy and Post Management Measures F Thomson advised additional scrutiny processes for all vacancies are ongoing with a view to managing budget resources. Alternative ways to fill vacancies or delay in filling vacancies, if appropriate, are being considered. Any exceptions continue to be processed as quickly as possible. Resolved: The Committee noted the position. 14. Workforce Planning Themed Board (Employer Branding) F Thomson stated that the People and Culture Strategy 2024-2028 approved by Committee in June 2024 now included recommendations in the action plan following a recent audit by Audit Scotland. The Workforce Planning Themed Board established to bring a coordinated approach across the organisation and share good practice is overseeing the actions and progress arising from the audit and strategy. Workforce plans are currently being worked on by Strategic Leads. She explained that one working group reporting to the Board is the Employer of Choice group looking at the Council employer brand and promotion of opportunities. A request was made for a union representative to join the group.
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Resolved: (i) The Committee noted the position. (ii) It be agreed that N Ferry be appointed to the Board as the Union Representative. 15. Date of Next Meeting Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 1.30pm.