Agenda and minutes

Meeting called at short notice under the provisions of paragraph 4.1 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2   To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3   If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

The Committee considered the designation of Appendix 1 to Agenda item 5 (minute 24 refers) as exempt under the Access to Information Procedure Rules 10.4 (4) and (5).

RESOLVED  - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following part of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business transacted, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

Appendix 1 to Agenda item 5 because it contained information relating to negotiations in connection with industrial relations and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings . It was considered in these circumstances that the public interest in maintaining the exemption from publication outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were made either under this item or at any stage during the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Taggart, Lowe and J L Carter.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources and Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods setting out a further analysis of the options appraisal presented in order to inform a decision in relation to the implementation of a Performance Related Pay (PRP) Scheme for the Refuse Collection Service.

Before the item was considered the Committee agreed that members of the public should be excluded as the Main issue in the report referred directly to the exempted Appendix 1.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented his and the Director of Resources report, which followed on from the report received by General Purposes Committee on 6^th September 2010. This report set out further analysis of the options appraisal previously presented, in order to inform a decision in relation to the implementation of a Performance Related Pay (PRP) Scheme for the Refuse Collection Service.

Members considered the options available  with the respective financial and legal implications, and  also  the equal pay legislation more generally 

Members also discussed the  implementation of  other PRP schemes across the Council .

 RESOLVED  - Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to agree the introduction of a PRP scheme within the Refuse Collection Service and authorise the Director of Resources to finalise negotiations with the Trade Unions in order to enter into a collective agreement to bring it into effect.

(This item was considered urgent so as to ensure that the PRP scheme could be introduced as soon as possible  to realise the savings as soon as possible in the current  financial climate.)