To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2012.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources submitted a report updating the Committee on the ongoing progress with the Council’s internal apprenticeship programme since its launch at the beginning of October 2011.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the significant progress to date be noted.

(2)        That the Committee welcomes the tremendous success of the apprenticeship programme during these harsh economic times, particularly  the life changing opportunities being provided to young people in care, and continues to support fully the development of the programme.

To consider a report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources submitted a report providing the Committee with an overview of the formal 90 day collective consultation process, which ended on 14 January 2013.

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the content of the report and in particular, the comprehensive approach to budget consultation.

To consider a report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources submitted a report providing the results of a review of the Christmas closure of key administrative buildings over the period Monday 24 December 2012 to Tuesday 1 January 2013 inclusive.

Informing the Committee of the issues that had arose and the lessons learned, the Director of Human Resources also advised that, as a result of the experience, a Christmas Closure in 2013 was proposed from the end of business on 24December until a return on 2 January 2014.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the findings and lessons learned, together with the resultant savings be noted and that in future the potential risk in respect of the child protection telephone line be regarded as a priority.

(2)        That the Committee joins with the Corporate Management Team in thanking those staff that continued to work over the Christmas period to maintain essential services.

(3)        That the Committee notes the proposed Christmas Closure in 2013 and that processes will be reviewed in light of the move back to the Town Hall and the rationalisation of some of the Council’s buildings.

Any other item or items which, by reason of special circumstances (to be specified), the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.

The Chairman allowed consideration of the following matter as an item of urgent business in order that the Committee could receive an update on the latest position regarding the following matter at the earliest opportunity.

Equal Pay

The Director of Human Resources provided an oral update to Members of the Committee advising that the Council had made a settlement offer and it was anticipated that Unison’s solicitors and the solicitors representing the GMB would be recommending its approval by the unions.

RESOLVED: That the oral update concerning the expected settlement offer for Equal Pay claims be noted.