Agenda and minutes

Prior to the election of Deputy-Chair, the Chief Executive welcomed all those present, including two new Staff Side Representatives, Ann Melia (UNISON) and Jed Murray (UNISON).

Resolved:

That Linda Farley (Staff Group Representative), be elected as Deputy-Chair of the Joint Staff Advisory Committee for the remainder of the 2023/2024 municipal year.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 September 2023 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chris Collier and Stephen Holt (Chair). It was declared that Councillor Nicky Fabry would be acting as Substitute for Councillor Collier for the duration of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were also received from Clare Boorman (UNISON), Helen Knight (Head of HR) and Hilary Mitchell (Staff Group Representative).

Disclosure by councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

There were none.

Items not on the agenda which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances as defined in Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were none.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Director of Tourism, Culture and Organisational Development (DTCOD) in respect of various initiatives across Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils.

The DTCOD highlighted the All-Staff Conference held in November 2023 and thanked the Employees’ Side Representatives, Ann Melia and Jed Murray, for their contributions regarding UNISON’s involvement in the conference. The DTCOD noted that many staff said that they were pleased and expressed their gratitude, and she thanked staff for their feedback and involvement.

The DTCOD further highlighted that the overall atmosphere appeared positive and upbeat during the All-Staff Conference, despite the messages shared by the Directors regarding challenges faced by local authorities across the country.

The Employees’ Side noted that the All-Staff Conference was a great way to engage with staff, with many staff expressing their happiness with the support they had been given by UNISON. The Employees’ Side further noted that it had been working with the DTCOD and the Head of HR regarding resolving staff concerns, and it welcomed the opportunity for its new representatives, Clare Boorman and Ann Melia, to engage in the process.

The DTCOD reiterated the Employers’ Side continued support regarding ways it could help UNISON increase its membership.

Further discussions included the recent staff wellbeing day held in Newhaven, the new staff forum and the recent pay award which was agreed on 2 November 2023. The Committee expressed its gratitude to the Councils’ Payroll team for already implementing the backdated pay award from 1 April 2023.

Resolved: That the verbal update by noted.

To consider, under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), excluding the public and press from the meeting during the discussion of Items 7, 8, 9 and 10 on this agenda as there are likely to be disclosures of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Resolved:  

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of items 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the agenda as there was likely to be disclosures of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Report of Health and Safety Manager

The Committee received a report from the Health and Safety Manager (HSM) in respect of key aspects of health and safety matters across Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils.   

Discussions included accident trends and available data in relation to reported accidents.   

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Report of Head of HR

The Committee received the Officer’s report which provided an update regarding the Councils’ sickness figures for the period Quarter 2 (1 July to 30 September 2023) and outlined the way in which the figures were presented for both Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council.  

Resolved:   

That the Quarter 2 (1 July to 30 September 2023) sickness figures and the way in which the figures were presented for both Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council, be noted.

To consider any matters raised by the employees' side in respect of the items on this agenda.

There were no additional matters raised by the Employees’ Side over and above those which had been recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

To consider any matters raised by the employees' side in respect of health and safety.

The Employees’ Side highlighted that it had acquired two new Health and Safety Representatives, both of which had recently completed training.

The Employees’ Side queried if new staff members were made aware of opportunities to access union services through UNISON. The Director of Tourism, Culture and Organisational Development responded that all new staff are made aware by their line manager during induction regarding the opportunities to access union services through UNISON.

There were no additional health and safety matters raised by the Employees’ Side over and above those which had been recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

To note that the next meeting of the Joint Staff Advisory Committee is scheduled to commence at 2:30pm on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, in the Court Room, Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UG.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Joint Staff Advisory Committee was scheduled to commence at 2:30pm on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, in the Court Room, Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UG.