Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Human Resources (copy enclosed) recommending the adoption of new and amended HR policies and procedures.

Councillor Barbara Smith, Lead Member for Modernising and Performance presented the report (previously circulated) recommending the adoption of new and amended HR policies and procedures in order to comply with legislative changes and best practice in respect of –

· Recruitment and Selection

· Providing an Employment Reference

· Secondment

· Agency Workers Procedure

The Human Resources Services Manager (HRSM) highlighted the main policy and procedure changes following consultation with managers and trade unions.  Members discussed a number of issues with the HRSM regarding individual policies and also queried the role of the Local Joint Consultative Committee (LJCC) within the process.  The HRSM responded as follows –

· in the event of trade unions having no objection to policy/procedure change it had been agreed to bypass LJCC and submit amendments directly to Council

· acknowledged that not responding to unsuccessful job applicants could attract some criticism but the process incurred substantial cost/officer time.  With regard to web recruitment she agreed to look into the possibility of responding to applicants electronically

· in terms of the processes for identifying forged documentation she agreed to look into the matter further with a view to providing greater assurance

· confirmed that audits were undertaken to ensure necessary checks had been carried out as part of the recruitment process in schools

· noted the suggestion to change the policy to require all members of the recruitment panel to undertake equality training.  Recruitment training was being arranged for middle managers and the policy could be changed in future if the Council was content it could meet that criteria.

            RESOLVED that Council accepts and adopts the new and amended policies and procedures in respect of Recruitment and Selection, Providing an Employee Reference, Secondments and Agency Workers.