Policy And Resources Committee - 10/11/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th November, 2003.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October, was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ROLE, STRUCTURE AND IDENTITY

There was submitted Report No 669-2003 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) outlining the department's future role and recommending a revised organisational structure, establishment and department title.

The Committee approved:-

(i) the re-titling of the department to Personnel Department;

(ii) the following changes to the department's establishment:-

(a)regrading of the post of Personnel Manager from SCP63-66, 48,711 - 52,272, to SCP65-68, 51,045 - 54,807, to reflect higher level responsibilities;

(b)redesignation of the post of Personnel Team Leader to Personnel Section Leader, with no change of grade.

(c)redesignation of the post of Employee Development Team Leader to Organisational Development Section Leader, with no change of grade;

(d)deletion of the (vacant and unfunded) post of Personnel Team Leader, grade PO15-18, 35,343 - 37,833;

(e)deletion of the post of Management Services Team Leader (post vacant from 1 April 2004), grade PO15-18, 35,343 - 37,833, with effect from 1 April 2004;

(f)regrading of the post of Senior Personnel Officer (2), from PO5-8, 27,873 - 30,060, to PO8-11, 30,060 - 32,244, to reflect higher level responsibilities;

(g)redesignation of the post of Senior Management Services Officer to Senior Organisational Development Officer, and regrading of the post from PO5-8, 27,873 - 30,060, to PO8-11, 30,060 - 32,244, to reflect a change in role and higher level responsibilities;

(h)redesignation of all of the posts of Management Services Officer and Training Officer to Organisational Development Officer, with no change of grade;

(i)redesignation of the post of Council Health and Safety Officer to Senior Health and Safety Adviser, with no change or grade;

(j)redesignation of the post of Health and Safety Officer to Health and Safety Adviser, with no change of grade;

(k)redesignation of the post of Administrative Assistant to Employee Welfare Adviser, with no change of grade;

(l)redesignation of the post of Senior Clerical Assistant (Management Services) to Organisational Development Assistant, and regrading of the post from GS3, 13,650 - 14,211, to GS3/AP1 (qualification bar at maximum of GS3), 13,650 - 15,204, to reflect higher level responsibilities;

(m)redesignation of the 2 part-time posts of Senior Clerical Assistant (Personnel Section) to Personnel Assistant, and regrading of the posts from GS3, 13,650 - 14,211, to GS3/AP1 (qualification bar at maximum of GS3), 13,650 - 15,204 pro rata, to reflect higher level responsibilities;

(iii) the revised senior management structure outlined in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iv) the revised establishment outlined in Appendix 2 to the report.

II HOUSING DEPARTMENT - HOMELESS SERVICES UNIT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Report No 699-2003 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to establish 3 temporary posts in the Housing Department's Homeless Services Unit, to assist with delivery of expanded legislative duties to homeless persons as contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Committee agreed to approve the establishment of the following temporary posts in the Homeless Services Unit until 31 March 2006:-

(i)1 post of Temporary Homeless Persons Officer, graded AP2 (15,582 - 16,866);

(ii)1 post of Temporary Housing Officer, graded AP2 (15,582 - 16,866);

(iii)1 post of Temporary Homelessness Advice and Development Officer, graded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732).

III EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - NUTRITION IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS

Councillor Don declared a financial interest in this item in that his wife might benefit from the scheme, by virtue of her employment.

There was submitted Report No 727-2003 by the Director of Education and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising the Committee of funding which was to be made available by SEED to local authorities to implement the recommendations contained in "Hungry for Success" and seeking approval for a proposed implementation plan and the establishment of 41 part-time posts.

The Committee approved:-

(i)the establishment of 41 "Eating for Health" Assistant posts at Grade GS2/3 (12,789 - 14,211) (pro rata, term time only), 15 hours per week, for a fixed period of 3 years; and

(ii)a qualification bar at the top of GS2, spinal column point 12 (13,416), progression beyond which would be dependent on the postholder passing or possessing the appropriate qualification.

IV COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT (ER9/03)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN490-2003 seeking the approval of the Committee for the early retirement on the grounds of the efficiency of the service of Unit Leader, (ER9/03), with effect from 31st March, 2004. This retirement would be in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998 and would be with maximum enhancement, in accordance with the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

The Depute Chief Executive (Finance) advised that, if the recommendation was approved, there would be a cost of 657 in 2003/04 and 219 per annum thereafter, and these costs could be contained within the Communities Department Revenue Budget.

The Committee approved the proposal as detailed.

V EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT (ER8/03)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN491-2003 seeking approval from the Committee that ER8/03, Clerk/Typist within the Education Department, be retired on the authority of Dundee City Council with effect from 30th November, 2003. This retiral would be in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998, on the basis that the employee satisfied the conditions of the "85-year Rule".

The Committee approved the proposal, having noted the financial implications.

VI LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN492-2003 advising the Committee that at its meeting of 16th July, 2002, the Recess Sub Committee approved the establishment of a fixed term post of Youth Sports Officer (Pre-School), AP3, 17,340 - 19,029, for the Leisure and Arts Department up to March 2004.

The Committee approved an extension of this fixed term for a 4 month period until 31st July, 2004, noting that there would be no additional financial implications as the cost could be contained within the existing funding available.

VII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - SHELTERED HOUSING WARDEN - QUALIFICATION BAR

There was submitted Agenda Note AN493-2003, making reference to a report agreed by the Personnel and Social Work Committees of Tayside Regional Council on 17th August, 1994, regarding Sheltered Housing Warden Services. The report approved the developments in the Sheltered Housing Warden Service arising from the implementation of the NHS and Community Care Act. The report also approved a new grade of GS1/2 (SCP1-12) with a qualification bar at SCP10. Progression beyond SCP10 was subject to completion of an appropriate Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ).

Despite extensive research, it was noted that it had not been possible to identify an appropriate SVQ, preventing progression beyond the qualification bar at SCP10.

The Committee agreed to remove the qualification bar and confirm the grade of Sheltered Housing Warden as GS1/2 (10,068 - 13,416), with effect from 1 October 2003, it being noted that the cost of this proposal would be 28,536 in a full financial year and would be met from existing revenue budget.

VIII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - SINGLE SHARED ASSESSMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPORARY POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN494-2003 making reference to the report "Community Care - a Joint Future" by the Scottish Executive which required local authorities and health agencies to develop and progress joint working in the delivery, management and resourcing of services for older people and others receiving community care services. Single Shared Assessment involves staff from Health and Social Work working closely together to improve access and quicker delivery of service.

It was noted that in Dundee, both Tayside Health Board and Dundee City Council were working jointly on an action plan which detailed the tasks to be completed to meet the recommendations outlined in the above mentioned report and, in order to achieve this, a Project Team consisting of social work and health staffing was required.

The Committee agreed to approve the establishment of a post of Project Leader, graded PO15-18 (35-343 - 37,833) for a temporary period, initially until 31st March, 2005, to oversee the Single Shared Assessment Project pre and post implementation, and also a post of Project Worker, graded PO1-4 (24,888 - 27,015) for a temporary period, initially until 31st March, 2004.

It was noted that another Project Worker post for this Project had been established by Tayside Health Board, and these posts would be jointly funded from the Social Work budget through additional monies received from the Scottish Executive to implement the recommendations of the Joint Future Group and through resources provided by the NHS.

IX PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN495-2003 advising that the Planning and Transportation Committee, at its meeting on 2nd December, 2002 approved the recommendation that the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) report on the additional staff requirements as a result of the introduction of Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement in the City.

The Committee approved recommendation that a post of Team Leader (Parking), graded PO11-14, 32,244 - 34,554, be established in the Planning and Transportation Department to manage the introduction, implementation and management of this project.

It was noted that the cost of the establishment of this post would be 9,874 in the 2003/04 financial year and 39,495 in a full financial year. In 2003/04, this post would be funded from the Car Park Trading Account. In future years, this post would be funded from additional income generated by the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement Scheme.

X PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN496-2003 advising the Committee that the Director of Planning and Transportation and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reviewed the staffing requirements of the Information Research Team. As a result of this review, a proportion of the duties and responsibilities of the Senior Planning Officer post that was currently vacant had been redistributed within the team. However, there was a need to establish a Planning Officer post in order to carry out research and information duties.

The Committee agreed to delete one vacant post of Senior Planning Officer, grade PO7-PO10, 29,313 - 31,536, and establish one post of Planning Officer (Information and Research), grade AP1-PO4, 14,211 - 27,015, having noted that this proposal would result in a saving of 8,270 in a full financial year.

XI SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - LEGAL DIVISION - ESTABLISHMENT AND GRADING OF POSTS OFSENIOR SOLICITOR

There was submitted Agenda Note AN497-2003 advising the Committee that the Legal Division is headed by the Legal Manager to whom three Team Leaders report. Their Teams consist of a varying number of Solicitors and Administrative Assistants. As a result of an increasing complex workload in the Division, the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) wished to establish one post of Senior Solicitor in each Team to assist the Team Leader with the management of their Team and to deputise for them.

The Committee approved the establishment of these posts and agreed that to reflect the level of duties and responsibilities they should be graded PO 10-13 (31,536 - 33,279 per annum). It was intended that these posts would be filled by inviting applications from and by interviewing existing staff, and the previous posts of the successful candidates would be deleted from the establishment.

The total cost of this proposal would be 8,409 in a full financial year and 2,803 in the current financial year, and would be met from the existing Support Services Department Revenue Budget.

The Committee noted that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - STAFFING STRUCTURE FOR CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL UNITS

There was submitted Report No 471-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for changes to the staffing structure of the Children's Residential Units in the Social Work Department.

The Personnel and Management Services Committee approved the staffing structures for the Social Work Department Children's Residential Units, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, having noted that further discussions would take place, and if necessary a further report would be submitted to the Committee.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public may be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XIII CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DEPARTMENT - REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN498-2003 wherein if was noted that at the request of the Chief Executive, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the post of Chief Executive's Secretary.

The Committee approved the regrading as detailed in the note, having noted the financial implications.

LORD PROVOST JOHN R LETFORD, Convener.