Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from:

Councillor Mike Stanton – substituted by Councillor Bill Revans

Councillor David Fothergill

Councillor Faye Purbrick

Councillor Graham Oakes

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

There were no declarations of interest declared.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

9^th October 2024

It was resolved that the minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 9^th October 2024, being proposed by Councillor Andy Kendall and seconded by Councillor Sarah Wakefield to be a true record of the meeting.

(Vote: Unanimous)

11^th November 2024

It was resolved that the minutes of the Human Resources Committee held on 11^th November 2024, being proposed by Councillor Emily Pearlstone and seconded by Councillor Liz Leyson to be a true record of the meeting.

(Vote: Unanimous)

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

There were no public questions brought to the committee.

To consider and approve Health and Safety Policies.

After discussions surrounding the various policies it was resolved to approve the below:

·       Risk Assessment Policy

·       Asbestos Policy

·       Responsibilities Policy

·       Reporting and Investigating Health and Safety Incidents Policy

·       Hazardous Substances Policy

Daniel Thomas, Strategic Manager, Health & Safety, presented the following reports and gave a summary on each one:

·       Risk Assessment Policy

·       Asbestos Policy

·       Responsibilities Policy

·       Reporting and Investigating Health and Safety Incidents Policy

·       Hazardous Substances Policy

It was confirmed that:

·      The policies would be available to Councillors through the health and safety portal and they would be reminded as part of the member training program through Democratic Services how to access the portal and any information available on the intranet. This was already live.

·      A link to the policies would be shared with all Councillors as part of the internet page.

·      Risks would continue to be monitored and all Service Directors would provide continuous feedback to those risks.

·      75% of staff across the organization had completed the mandatory Health & Safety training. This equated to only 1 in 4 staff having completed the training and it was agreed that this was concerning and should be checked by line managers.

Councillor Leigh Reman proposed to approve and confirm the policies listed below which was seconded by Councillor Emily Pearlstone:

·       Risk Assessment Policy

·       Asbestos Policy

·       Responsibilities Policy

·       Reporting and Investigating Health and Safety Incidents Policy

·       Hazardous Substances Policy

(Vote: Unanimous)

Resolved to approve and confirm the following policies:

·       Risk Assessment Policy

·       Asbestos Policy

·       Responsibilities Policy

·       Reporting and Investigating Health and Safety Incidents Policy

·       Hazardous Substances Policy

To consider and approve the Sexual Harassment Policy.

After discussions surrounding the Sexual Harassment Policy it was resolved to approve the policy.

Sarah Welland, Service Manager HR Policy and Projects presented the Sexual Harassment Policy.

After deliberations surrounding the grievance and reporting procedures, the bullying and harassment policy and whistleblowing policy, the Service Manager HR Policy assured the committee that they would take the suggestions under advisement.

Councillor Emily Pearlstone proposed to approve the new Sexual Harassment Policy which was seconded by Councillor Sarah Wakefield.

(Vote: Unanimous)

RESOLVED to approve the new Sexual Harassment Policy.

To receive a verbal update on workforce matters.

Dawn Bettridge, Interim Service Director Workforce, presented the update by way of a slide presentation.

After deliberations surrounding the consultation period being long enough and discussions with trade unions happening on a weekly or biweekly basis which had resulted in no disagreements, the committee noted the update.

To consider the Committee’s forward work plan.

After discussing the work programme and possible dates for an extraordinary meeting to review the pay policy statement before a Full Council meeting and the next scheduled Human Resources Committee meeting on 8^th April, the committee noted the forward plan.

Possible dates would be discussed amongst the committee and an invite sent out once the date had been finalised.