Policy And Resources Committee - 17/06/2002

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 17th June 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th June 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF CLERICAL SUPPORT STAFF IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 490-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services outlining recommendations following a comprehensive review of the duties and responsibilities undertaken by clerical support staff in secondary schools.

The Committee agreed:-

(a)that a post of Senior Clerical Officer, grade GS3 (13,124 - 13,664 pro rata) be established in each secondary school (ten schools);

(b)that recruitment to such posts would be restricted to current staff in each school with the resulting vacancies being deleted; and

(c)that the generic job descriptions for the posts of Senior Clerical Officer and Clerical Officer in secondary schools detailed in the report be approved.

II ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - DUNDEE AIRPORT FIRE CREW

There was submitted Report No 238-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services outlining proposals for the organisation and operation of the Fire Crew at Dundee Airport.

The Committee approved:-

(a)the alignment of the post of Duty Fire Crew from 12,296 - 14,618 to SCPs 19, 22, 24 and 26 (14,984, 16,217, 17,207 and 18,296) in accordance with the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service for Local Government Employees;

(b)the deletion of two posts of Duty Fire Crew graded SCP19-26, 14,984 - 18,296;

(c)the establishment of three posts of Lead Officer graded SCP27, 18,878;

(d)the alignment of the grade of the post of Junior Fire Officer from 18,208 to SCP31-34, 21,536 - 23,459 in accordance with the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service for Local Government Employees;

(e)the establishment of one post of Junior Fire Officer graded SCP31-34, 21,536 - 23,459;

(f)the regrading of the post of Senior Fire Officer from AP4 SCP27-30, 18,878 - 20,897 to PO1-4 SCP35-38, 23,930 - 25,976; and

(g)that the Director of Economic Development, in consultation with the Director of Personnel and Management Services, be given the authority to establish seven temporary posts of Duty Fire Crew SCP19-26, 14,984 - 18,296 in the event of the category of the airport increasing from category 3 to category 4.

It was further noted that following consultations with the appropriate Trade Unions, a further report might require to be submitted to this Committee.

III CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL AND DEVELOPMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN119-2002 advising that Ron Skea, Team Leader, Employment Development, in the Personnel and Management Department, had been elected Chair of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Tayside Group and Vice-Chair of the Mid-Scotland Branch of the CIPD. These positions would require attendance at various meetings and events, most of which would take place outwith normal working hours. However, there may be a limited number of occasions where attendance would be required at meetings at CIPD Headquarters in London or at other venues.

The Committee approved paid leave of absence to attend these meetings, it being noted that all other costs would be met by the CIPD.

Lord Provost John Letford, Councillors Farquhar and Scott declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereof.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL POSTS

Reference was made to the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 20th May 2002 wherein a report on "Tayside Delayed Discharge Partnership - Action Plan on Delayed Discharge" was approved.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN120-2002 by the Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services requesting that the Committee approve the establishment of the following posts to implement the Dundee Social Work and Health Partnership projects to manage delayed discharge:-

Early Supported Discharge Scheme

Ten post of part-time Social Care Worker (300 hours) SCP16-23, 13,124 - 16.673;

Combined Care at Home

Four posts of part-time Social Care Worker (120 hours) SCP16-23, 13,124 - 16.673;

Enhanced Residential Care

12.1 posts of part-time Social Care Worker 450 hours) SCP16-23, 13,124 - 16.673;

it being noted the costs associated with establishing these posts would be fully funded by resource transfer from Tayside Health Board.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND PENSIONS HELP TEAM - REVIEW OF REVENUE DIVISION BENEFITS SERVICE

There was submitted Joint Report No 537-2002 by the Directors of Finance and Personnel and Management Services appraising the Committee on the outcome of the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) Help Team's recent review of the Benefit Service provided by the City Council's Revenues Division. The report considered the proposals developed jointly by the Help Team and the Finance Department Revenues Division against a backdrop of reduced productivity over the next nine months due to the phased implementation of new Council Tax and Benefits software (I-World).

The Committee agreed the following recommendations:-

(a)the establishment, on a temporary basis to 31st December 2002, of four part-time Telephonist posts grade GS1/2, 9,680 - 12,899 pro rata;

(b)the establishment of six Benefit Pre-Assessor posts grade GS2/3, 12,296 - 13,664; and

(c)the establishment of two Benefit Work Checker posts grade AP5, 21,536 - 23,459, and the filling of these two posts from existing Revenues Division staff.

LORD PROVOST JOHN R LETFORD, Convener.