Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Steve Goodman, Deputy Chris Hayward, Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, Timothy McNally, Gregory Lawrence, and James Tumbridge, who joined online. 

 
Apologies for lateness were received from Deputy Charles Edward Lord. 

The Town Clerk advised the committee that the Chairman would reorder the agenda to take item 22 prior to item 19.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 31 May 2023.

RESOLVED:That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 31 May2023 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk and Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a joint report of the Town Clerk and Chief Operating Officer. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Operating Officer. 

It was noted that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman were consulted on all decisions taken between meetings in accordance with standing order 41. 

RESOLVED: That the Committee:  

1.     Delegates to the Town Clerk operational decision making on the Reward Refresh project, with the project senior reporting officer (Chief Operating Officer) reporting progress on the project on a regular basis, as and when key milestones are reached. 

2.     Notes the informal Korn Ferry facilitated members’ workshop had discussed the Design Principles of the entire project.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning the Workplace Attendance Policy. 

The committee discussed what the long-term position of the City of London Corporation regarding workplace attendance may be, what impact working from home had on staff career progression, and the decision of the Senior Management Group to attend offices more frequently ahead of any change to an all-staff policy being agreed. 

The committee expressed its general support for any decision for a change to the policy affecting all staff to be taken later but asked that officers give a clearer recommendation on future proposals. 

RESOLVED: 

1.     To note the staff pulse survey results, contemporary data points and observations on operation of the current policy. 

2.     To agree option one (remain as is plus change for SMG to 3 days minimum) for the workplace attendance policy.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning employee profile information for the year 2021-2022.

RESOLVED: To note the report and the Employee Profile data 2021/22. 

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning employee profile information for the year 2022-2023. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning an update on progress against the 2023/24 Business Plan. 

RESOLVED: To note the report and progress made towards implementing our 2023/24 Business Plans.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning an update on appraisal completion data for 2022/23. 

The committee discussed the quality of appraisal data held by the Corporation, noting that the data held within HR systems on appraisal completions did not reflect all completions. 

The committee discussed the inconsistent approach to performance management within the Corporation, the disincentive this created for staff, the scheduled introduction of an Enterprise Resource Planning system, and what steps would be taken to improve the rate of appraisal completions and data collection for completed appraisals. It was recognised that the IT system for processing and completing appraisals was not easy for staff to use. 

It was suggested that consideration be given for the appropriate incorporation of members’ feedback into staff appraisals. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning a mid-calendar year report on the delivery of the Corporate Health and Safety Business Plan, as well as other health and safety matters relating to the City Corporation’s health and safety management system and the business of the Corporate Health and Safety Committee. 

The committee expressed concerns about the assurance ratings being negative and discussed the correction of these. Officers agreed to provide a report back to the committee in the coming months explaining the issues and how they would be remedied, and subsequent assurance that these remedies had been implemented. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning a mid-calendar year report on the delivery of the Corporate Health and Safety Business Plan, as well as other health and safety matters relating to the City Corporation’s health and safety management system and the business of the Corporate Health and Safety Committee. 

The committee expressed concerns about the assurance ratings being negative and discussed the correction of these.Officers agreed to provide a report back to the committee in the coming months explaining the issues and how they would be remedied, and subsequent assurance that these remedies had been implemented. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer concerning implementing “Ban the Box” and revising “Vetting” as part of pre-employment checks was brought to Corporate Services Committee (CSC)  

meeting in May 2023. 

It was noted that a members’ session to discuss broader themes around the campaign would be scheduled for September 2023. 

RESOLVED: To note the report, including the notification that a private  

Members’ session will also be held prior to launch of Ban the Box; in September 2023.

A question was asked about whether the committee room microphones could be improved or replaced, with officers confirming this would be taken for consideration. A further question was asked whether shorter and more focused reports could be written, which officers noted.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the 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 Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the last meeting held on 31 May 2023.

RESOLVED: That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2023 be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk. 

RESOLVED: To note the report. 

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating Officer. 

The committee discussed the proposed staffing changes and that it was hoped the effect on current postholders would be positive. 

RESOLVED: To note the report.

Report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The committee received a verbal update from the Town Clerk regarding a number of recent departures at senior levels.