Agenda item

Members noted the update report regarding the Staff Survey.

The Chairman was pleased that a meeting had been able to be called successfully on this occasion. It was noted that the proposed discussion concerning the Staff Survey had been suggested by Councillor Simon Fawthrop. Unfortunately, Councillor Fawthrop had been unable to attend the meeting. Because the ‘mover’ had not been able to attend, as well as the fact that on this occasion the sound quality was very bad, the Chairman decided that the discussion of the results of the Staff Survey should be referred to the GP&L Committee--if the Chairman of the GP&L Committee was agreeable.

The Chairman commented that throughout his tenure as Chairman, it had been his aim to facilitate closer co-operation and collaboration between the Staff Side and the Employer’s Side, rather than a culture of war. He felt that this had been achieved. He was satisfied that now there was a better relationship between the Staff Side and Management, and that now there was an open door for consultation without the requirement to bring everything to the LJCC.

The Chairman noted that it had not been possible to obtain executive powers for the LJCC as it was essentially a listening forum for the Employer’s Side and the Staff Side.

The Chairman pointed out that he had been appointed as Chairman of the LJCC on 4^th May 2003. At that time the Staff Side Secretary was Glenn Kelly, who was ably supported by Kathy Smith. The Chairman stated that although they were both very vibrant in their politics, it was obvious that they were dedicated to serving the best interests of their members. The Chairman wished his best regards to Glenn to be noted, along with his work relating to the Local Standards for Pay and Conditions. The Chairman wished his appreciation for Kathy Smith to be noted with respect to her contribution regarding libraries. 

The Chairman thanked Gill Slater for her dedication, commitment and hard work as Vice Chairman and in representing the views of her members and the Staff Side generally. This was a role that she had excelled at, and the Chairman was confident that she would continue to excel in the role going forward. 

The Chairman expressed his thanks to Stephen Wood, Graham Walton and Charles Obazuaye for their contributions in ensuring the smooth running of the LJCC during his tenure as Chairman. 

The Chairman stated that he would be moving to a different role and would not be chairing the LJCC going forward.

The Vice Chairman thanked the Chairman for his appreciation of the Staff Side contributions of Glenn Kelly and Kathy Smith which would be passed on and  expressed her thanks to Councillor Mellor for his politeness and good humour, during sometimes challenging debates, and his committed service to the Committee over the years. The Director of Human Resources similarly expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chairman for his dedication and commitment to the work of the Committee. 

RESOLVED that a discussion regarding the outcomes of the Staff Survey be referred to the GP&L Committee.