Policy and Strategy Committee

Wednesday 16 June 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, McCabe, McCormick (M), Mitchell, Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:  Councillor Blair presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Social Work Services, Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services and Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services).

442

Remit from Best Value and Corporate Services Committee - Strategic Service Delivery Partnership

442

There was submitted a report dated 7 June 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee of 16 June 2004 that the Committee consider remitting to the Corporate Management Team the potential financial implications for delivering ICT services in partnership with a specialist ICT services provider and that the Council advertise for a strategic service delivery partner for the ICT service as outlined in the report.

Following discussion, Councillor Blair moved that (1) the decision taken by the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee be agreed (2) that the results of the exercise be submitted to both Committees for their respective interests and consideration; and (3) that before any financial commitment is made in the implementation of proposals, there be a further report setting out the financial implications identifying the savings required for such an outsourced service.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that (1) the report be remitted to the Council's Corporate Management Team for further consideration of the options proposed and any additional options, specifically a partnership arrangement with another public sector agency (2) that a further report be submitted to the Committee within a 3 month period by the Corporate Management Team recommending the way forward for ICT services (3) that the Director of Corporate Services in the meantime take appropriate action to address the failings of the ICT service highlighted in the report and (4) that dialogue continue with employees and the representatives with the aim of seeking an agreement on the best option for the future of ICT services.

On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: 

(1)      that the decision taken by the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee be agreed;

(2)      that the results of the exercise be submitted to both Committees for their respective interests and consideration and that before any financial commitment is made in the implementation of proposals, there be a further report setting out the financial implications.

443

Chief Officers - Review of Heads of Service and Senior Posts

443

There was submitted a report dated 9 June 2004 by the Chief Executive requesting the Committee to consider a review of Chief Officers and to consider a number of alterations to management below Director level based on the National Agreement in conjunction with the new senior management structure agreed by the Council and in relation to the scope and scale of responsibilities of Chief Officers' posts.  Following discussion and consideration of the comments circulated by UNISON and GMB Councillor Blair moved that (1) the Committee approve the options recommended in Appendix 3 with regard to structure (2) the Committee agrees to the review recommended in paragraph 3.5 of the report taking place, this to include consideration of childcare provision and the grading of Senior Officers in the light of the points set out in paragraph 3.5 (3) that the Committee agree to the salaries and conditions of 3rd tier Officers being reviewed and then considered by the appropriate Committee in September 2004 (4) that the Committee agree to the ongoing consultations with the trade unions with regard to the issues under review (5) that the Committee confirm with regard to education that the implication of the McCrone settlement will form part of the review process (6) that the Committee agree to consider the advisability or otherwise of using performance review as part of the Council's mechanism for determining salary/income of senior Officers and (7) that the Committee in the meantime approve an interim salary award of 4% to all Heads of Service, this backdated to 1 April 2004.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that (1) the Depute Chief Executive and Directors salaries should be as proposed by the Chief Executive in December 2003 (2) that the Chief Executive should bring forward a further report on Heads of Services and Senior Posts addressing the following:-

(a)      that Heads of Service salaries should be set at a fixed percentage of the salary of the Chief Executive, taking into account the percentages proposed for the Depute Chief Executive and Directors in December 2003;

(b)      that all Heads of Services be paid a uniform rate with the exceptions listed in (c) below;

(c)      that the posts of Monitoring Officer and Chief Social Worker which should both be Heads of Service posts, should receive an additional increment reflecting the statutory responsibilities of the postholders;

(d)      that the Council's Senior Legal Officer's post should be at a Head of Service level;

(e)      that there be alternative management arrangements for Community Services based on options for 2 or 3 Heads of Service;

(f)       that there be submitted proposals to address the management requirement in Social Work Services following the redeployment of a Head of Service post to Corporate Services; and

(3) that consultation take place with the relevant trade unions on these proposals prior to the Chief Executive's report being considered by the Committee.

On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: 

(1) that the Committee approve the options recommended in Appendix 3 with regard to structure (2) the Committee agrees to the review recommended in paragraph 3.5 of the report taking place, this to include consideration of childcare provision and the grading of Senior Officers in the light of the points set out in paragraph 3.5 (3) that the Committee agree to the salaries and conditions of 3rd tier Officers being reviewed and then considered by the appropåriate Committee in September 2004 (4) that the Committee agree to the ongoing consultations with the trade unions with regard to the issues under review (5) that the Committee confirm with regard to education that the implication of the McCrone settlement will form part of the review process (6) that the Committee agree to consider the advisability or otherwise of using performance review as part of the Council's mechanism for determining salary/income of senior Officers and (7) that the Committee in the meantime approve an interim salary award of 4% to all Heads of Service, this backdated to 1 April 2004.