To note the Membership of the Committee for the 2015/16 Municipal Year, as appointed at the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 28 May 2015, namely:

Councillors Joanne Bennett, Mark Cawdrey, Mrs. Pamela Dixon (Vice-Chairman), Nathan Evans, Catherine Hynes (Opposition Spokesperson), David Jarman and Brian Rigby (Chairman).

RESOLVED: The Committee notes the Membership of the Committee for the 2015/16 Municipal Year including the appointments of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson namely:

Councillors Joanne Bennett, Mark Cawdrey, Mrs. Pamela Dixon (Vice-Chairman), Nathan Evans, Catherine Hynes (Opposition Spokesperson), David Jarman and Brian Rigby (Chairman)

To note the Committee’s Terms of Reference as confirmed at the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 28 May 2015.

RESOLVED: That the terms of reference be noted.

To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2015.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Acting Director of Human Resources.

The Acting Director of Human Resources presented a report to the committee detailing the levels of spend on agency staff within the council during the Municipal Year 2014/15. The report included a breakdown of spend by directorate and the reasons for the levels of spend were explained to the Committee.

The Acting Director of HR explained how the council is working to reduce agency spend. The plans include the creation of a peripatetic children’s social worker team and the establishment of standardised agency social worker pay rates as part of a trial collaboration across the majority of AGMA and its associate authorities.

The Committee requested a further breakdown of agency spend showing the number of individual agency assignments to which the spend related.

RESOLVED: 1) That the report be noted and;

2) A further breakdown of agency spend be provided to the committee.

3) Agency spend to be a regular agenda item.

To consider a report of the Acting Director of Human Resources.

The Acting Director of Human Resources presented a report which provided an update on workforce activities to support, develop, engage and communicate with Trafford Council’s workforce to ensure that quality services continue to be delivered to Trafford residents and customers.

The committee noted the excellent record of apprentices within Trafford Council, with over half of those who have completed their apprenticeship having gained permanent employment.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider an oral update from the Acting Director of Human Resources.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Acting Director of HR regarding the sickness exemptions for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

The Committee were informed that over the course of the year 8 cases for exemption were considered with 4 approved and 4 not approved. The 4 approved cases were all granted based on a range of factors, including the medical evidence presented.