Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the public minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2025

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 July were agreed and signed.

To provide an overview of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.

Members considered an overview of the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill presented by Sam Anthony.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Nawaz asked for clarification with regards to the Public Outsourcing Two Tier Code. Sam Anthony stated that the new measures are expected for public sector outsourcing, and she explained that the last outsourcing exercise that the Council undertook was with regards to outsourcing the leisure service. Sam Anthony explained that when the Council’s leisure function was outsourced it produced two tiers of pay, with anybody who was TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations) over from the Local Authority being in receipt of local authority pay and conditions and anybody employed by the other organisation had different terms and conditions and the new tier two code will eliminate that.

·         Councillor Nawaz stated that he appreciates that the report is only for noting and there is nothing that the committee can do to influence the outcomes. He made the point that it is useful to be made aware of the changes and added that there are some good changes, but he also has reservations about some of the proposals too. Councillor Nawaz stated that he welcomes the change being proposed relating to sexual harassment given the percentage of female employees that there generally are, and also welcomes the gender pay gap which is being closed. He expressed the view that with regards to the Trade Unions and the regulations this will have an impact on businesses by making things more difficult and expensive and he is unsure as to what the long-term impact will be, but he believes it will be of a negative nature.

·         Councillor Benney asked Sam Anthony to confirm how many extra hours and resources her team are going to require in order to implement the required changes? Sam Anthony explained that it is a difficult question to answer and the reason she is bringing it forward to the committee now is in order that it can be factored into the departments work programme now and, therefore, the work can be spread over the next couple of years. She added that some of the proposed changes may not come to fruition, and some will not impact the Council at all. Sam Anthony explained that whilst the Council has Trade Union recognition and works very effectively with Trade Unions already some of the proposals and changes are quite significant which means that they will need to be managed going forward. She made the point that she will not be looking for an additional resource for her department due to the financial situation of the Council. 

·         Councillor Clark asked whether there was an estimate on the cost that all of these changes are going to mean for the Council? Sam Anthony stated that it would be impossible for her to provide a figure with regards to the cost as the changes are quite significant and that when considering the changes such as the day  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC8/25

To provide the Employment Committee with a proposal regarding the future of the Council’s Culture and Creativity Development Officer role.

Members considered the Culture and Creativity Development Officer Review report presented by Phil Hughes.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses from officers.

Proposed by Councillor Nawaz, seconded by Councillor Imafidon and AGREED to Option 2 on the future of the Culture and Creativity Development Officer post.       

(Members resolved to exclude the public for this item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting held 18 July 2025.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 25 were agreed and signed.