Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources providing an oversight of the changes made to the Council’s employee Relocation Expenses Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) and seeking approval of these.

It was noted that the Lead HR Specialist had carried out a review of the Relocation Expenses Policy to ensure it remained fit for purpose and current in today’s environment. The key changes to the Policy were set out in the report.

Members were advised that the existing Constitution of the Council did not provide delegated authority to approve employee Policies and Procedures under the remit of Human Resources and staff. It was therefore proposed an amendment that all Human Resources Policies and Procedures be approved by the Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Chairperson of this Committee.

Councillor W Stamp referred to the proposed change to the Constitution and requested that if this was agreed the Committee receive a report every six months detailing any changes made to policies under the new delegation. In response, Officers suggested that Members consider receipt of an annual report. This was not supported and following further discussion it was agreed that a half yearly report should be provided to the Committee.

A debate ensued and in response to queries regarding the Relocation Expenses Policy, the following information was provided:

·                In 2006 Members had agreed the eligibility distance of 25 miles and this would have been a resolution of the Council. This had been reviewed by Human Resources (HR) as part of the current policy review.

·                The proposed Policy revisions would modernise the current policy, including making reference to remote working.

·                It was noted eligibility for the expenses included a requirement for the postholder to present in the Council offices for at least 40% of the working week. This was debated by Members. 

In response to some discussion regarding hybrid working, the Chairperson reminded the Committee that this was not part of the Relocation Expenses Policy which was being reviewed by the Committee. There was some discussion about deferring the policy and in response the Lead Legal Specialist and Monitoring Officer advised that the Committee would need to provide clear guidance on any additional information required as part of any deferral.

There was some comments raised regarding the Council’s current hybrid working arrangements and the need for a hybrid working policy to be discussed and agreed by Members. In response the Leader of the Council advised that he would raise this matter with the Corporate Leadership Team.

The Chairperson moved recommendation (i) which was duly agreed. He then moved recommendation (ii) amended to include a half yearly report to the Committee detailing any changes made and use of the delegation. This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Relocation Expenses Policy (Appendix 1 to the report) be approved with amendments made as set out in section 3.7 of the report.

RECOMMENDED

(ii)            That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to approve statutory and procedural updates to Human Resources Policies and Procedures and the Council’s Scheme of Delegation be updated accordingly;

(iii)           That the Committee receive half yearly reports detailing any changes made and use of the delegation.