Agenda item

A web link to the update has been emailed out to both sides prior to the meeting.

The web link is: Dream Organisation

The Departmental Representatives presented a document for consideration and information. The document outlined various actions that had been suggested by staff to improve the organisation, and the progress that had been made in implementing the actions.

Jackie Goad stated that there had been a good improvement in general cleaning, and that a cleaning schedule had been established. Councillor Fawthrop noted that the lighting that was previously not working in committee room 1 was now working. He suggested that this was related to the fact that he had raised this issue with Amey at the Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 11^th October 2017. He felt that it was important that LBB keep on top of the Amey contract, and that Amey should be pro-active as well as re-active.

Councillor Angela Wilkins raised the issue of the recent thefts of laptops and mobile phones. Evidence seemed to suggest that the thefts had been carried out by a contractor working for Amey. The matter had been referred to the Police. She wondered if Amey had been undertaking DBS checks, and that it would be a cause of concern if this was not the case.

The Director of Human Resources assured that theft was not normally a problem in LBB, and that even in this case, it was one person who was an employee of a contractor. The Director explained that it was not always lawful to undertake DBS checks, and it would depend on the nature of the post applied for. It was unlikely that a DBS check would be required for a cleaning post in the Council, and to carry out a DBS check when not required could constitute a breach of the individual’s human rights. Amey could be asked to provide clarity on the process adopted in terms of asking for references. 

Councillor Keith Onslow enquired if staff had secure spaces and if there was a clear desk policy. He expressed concern that confidential papers could also be at risk. The Director of Human Resources replied that managers and staff should make a risk assessment, and that staff did not have secure lockers. He mentioned that eventually staff would be moving into new Civic Centre accommodation and that the nature of the new accommodation would need to be taken into account.

The Committee heard that the card payment machine in the canteen was now working--a minimum spend of £5.00 was required.

Duncan Bridgewater informed that smoking shelters had now been installed. Dedicated shelters had been set up in St Blaise car park and by the Council Chamber. A communications update would follow. A minimum number of ‘no smoking’ signs were required.

Idverde had been asked to quote for replanting the flower bed in the courtyard of the Stockwell Building.

Nicola Musto informed that she had been continuing her work relating to well-being and mental health at work. She had presented to the heads of Human Resources and would be presenting in due course to the Departmental Representatives and the Departmental Management Team. Her aim was to raise awareness of mental health issues and to de-stigmatise. 

Ms Slater approved of the work being undertaken around mental health issues, and was glad that this had been presented to Human Resources. She expressed the view that it was important for HR to understand the mental health of staff and to acknowledge the impact on the mental health of staff going through HR processes (e.g  the ill-health procedures).