Issue - meetings

To consider the Chief Executive Discipline, Capabilty and Grievance Policy and Procedure.

The Board considered the Chief Executive Discipline, Capability and Grievance Policy and Procedure.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         Sarah Swindley indicated that the procedure laid out in the Constitution did not provide sufficient checks and balances when making decisions as to whether to suspend senior officers.  It had highlighted the need to either adopt the JNA Chief Executive Handbook for dealing with disciplinary, capability and grievance issues for Head of Paid Service, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, or to develop a procedure.

·         When using the Handbook previously it was found that on some occasions elements were unworkable or unclear.  At the recommendation of the Investigating and Discipline Committee, officers had developed the Council’s own Policy and Procedure. 

·         Changes to the Constitution to improve checks and balances in some areas, had been approved.  It was noted that with regards to the suspension of senior officers, the model handbook stated that the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee should meet to agree suspension.  However, it had been felt that if consideration was being given to suspension then this was something which need to be reviewed quickly.  The strengthening of existing checks and balances had therefore been proposed.  Councillor Pollock questioned whether the Executive Member for the relevant service would be consulted in such cases and was informed that they would.

·         Councillor Helliar-Symons commented that she felt that it was a good document.

·         As a result of adopting the policy and procedure it was necessary to amend the terms of reference for the Appeals Committee and the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee and to create a Grievance Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

1)         the newly drafted Chief Executive Disciplinary, Capability and Grievance Policy and Procedure be approved;

2)         the Terms of Reference for the Grievance Committee that would be required to be formed as a result of adopting this policy and procedure be approved;

3)         the amended terms of reference for the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee and Appeals Committee to reflect the new policy and procedure, be approved.