Minutes

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. (staffing matters)

The Assistant Chief Executive, Strategic Human Resources, presented the submitted report indicating the proposed amended Council policy in respect of :-

-           Flexible Retirement

-           Compensation Arrangements

The report also included a summary of the potential changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) proposed to come into effect from April, 2008.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Strategic Human Resources, highlighted the amendments in respect of:

-           the Rule of 85

-           Flexible Retirement (the full policy document was submitted)

-           Voluntary Retirement and Voluntary Severance Compensation Payments (the full policy document was submitted)

-           Compensation Payment Matrix based solely on years of service (as submitted)

Discussion and a question and answer session ensued.

Resolved:- (1) That the revised Council Policies in respect of Flexible Retirement and Compensation Payment Arrangements, as now submitted, be approved.

(2) That the proposed Compensation Payment Matrix in circumstances of severance and early retirement situations, as now submitted, be approved with effect from 1st April, 2007.

(3) That publication of the agreed changes to employees and trades unions be approved and appropriate consultations take place.

(4) That the potential options for the new look LGPS from April, 2008 be noted.

(5) That elected Members be involved in the determination of all applications in respect of the above.

(6) That a seminar be held for all Members of the Council in respect of the changes.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Strategic Human Resources, presented the submitted report indicating that the principles of the Chief Executive’s current salary package were established in 2003 prior to appointment on 1st April, 2004. It was determined, at that time, that the full salary package be reviewed after three years.

The report, following consideration of the issues by the Performance Review Panel (established to assess the Chief Executive’s performance against targets) proposed a potential way forward from the review.

Resolved:- (1) That approval be given to the proposals for the Chief Executive’s salary as contained in the report now submitted

(2) That the remaining un-awarded performance increment relating to the achievement of 4 Stars under CPA continue to be available should the Authority achieve this level in the future, and consideration be given at the appropriate time to the consolidation of this increment once awarded.

(3) That future performance targets set for the Chief Executive be based on the ‘Year Ahead’ targets and performance management against those targets continue to be carried out by the Performance Review Panel on an annual basis.