Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The committee reviewed six HR policies and agreed to recommend that Cabinet approve them: Dignity at Work, Grievance, Health and Safety, Recruitment and Selection, Capability, and the Menopause Policy for schools. It also noted the findings of the 2024 People Survey and agreed to send a message to staff about criticism of their work in the press and on social media.

1. Decided

   The committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet that six HR policies be approved. The policies are Dignity at Work, Grievance, Health and Safety, Recruitment and Selection, Capability and the Menopause Policy for schools.

   Why

   The Dignity at Work policy now refers to sexual harassment, because the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act) Act 2023 requires employers to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent it. The Grievance policy adds a Grievance Officer, a senior manager who considers formal complaints by staff. The Recruitment and Selection policy is new, and the Menopause policy gives schools guidance to support staff going through the menopause. The report says the policies cost little and may save money by reducing sickness absence.

   Based on the minutes, Scrutiny_Report_draft_HR_policies_March_25, Dignity-at-work-policy- Nov 2024, Grievance Policy and Procedure 2024, Health Safety Policy - Scrutiny Mar 25, Recruitment Selection Policy Mar 2025 Scrutiny, Capability Policy Mar 25 Scrutiny, Draft School menopause policy

2. People Survey 2024 findings

   Decided

   The committee agreed to note the encouraging findings of the People Survey 2024. It also agreed to send a message to all staff telling them to disregard constant negative criticism in the local press and on social media, and that the committee would always support and recognise their work.

   Why

   The survey ran from late November 2024 to January 2025, and 1,017 corporate staff took part, which is 50.3% of the workforce. Corporate averages were above all national comparators, and most measures were stable or improving. Manageable workloads fell from 81% to 76%. Support from line managers fell from 91% to 88%. The report says these areas need further support. The discussion covered constant criticism of council staff in the local press and on social media. It was also suggested that the council offer training and apprenticeships so young people can stay in the county.

   Based on the minutes, People Survey Findings 2024 - Corporate Resource OS Committee 24.03.25, People Survey 2024 - Scrutiny

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Welcome and Apologies

   Minute

   Councillor Hugh Hughes and Carl Worrall apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. Councillor Elizabeth Evans would be attending the meeting late due to other Council duties.

2. 2

   Disclosures of personal interest (including whipping declarations) Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council's Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct. In addition, Members must declare any prohibited party whip which the Member has been given in relation to the meeting as per the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011

   Minute

   None.

3. 3

   Chair Announcements

   Minute

   .None

4. 4

   To review and recommend the following policies: Dignity at Work, Grievance, Health and Safety, Recruitment and Selection, Capability, Menopause in Schools

   Decision as recorded

   AGREED to recommend to Cabinet that the following policies were APPROVED: - i. Dignity at Work Policy ii. Grievance Policy iii. Health & Safety Policy iv. Recruitment and Selection Policy v. Capability Policy vi. Menopause Policy (for Schools)

   Minute

   Councillor Bryan Davies as Leader and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report outlining the new HR Policies. The People & Organisation Service had been continuing to review, develop and update key policies. Following consultation, the following policies had been discussed, amended and agreed by the recognised trade unions: • Dignity at Work Policy • Grievance Policy • Health & Safety Policy • Recruitment and Selection Policy • Capability Policy • Menopause Policy (for schools) The purpose of all employee policies and procedures was to clearly set out the behaviours, processes and procedures required, how they could gain advice and support and, where applicable, the consequences of not adhering to the policy and/or procedure. The introduction of these policies had a negligible financial impact, and it expected result in an overall cost saving through the reduction of sickness absence and the associated cost of providing cover for that absence. Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to recommend to Cabinet that the following policies were APPROVED: - i. Dignity at Work Policy ii. Grievance Policy iii. Health & Safety Policy iv. Recruitment and Selection Policy v. Capability Policy vi. Menopause Policy (for Schools)

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Elaine Evans, ChairLiberal DemocratPresent
• Rhodri Evans, Vice-ChairIndependentPresent
• Amanda Edwards, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Ann Bowen Morgan, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Carl Worrall, Committee MemberPlaid CymruSent apologies
• Caryl Roberts, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Ceris Jones, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• David Raymond Evans, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent