Purpose

Approval of the
following new and updated HR Policies for Herefordshire Council
employees, as set out in Appendices A to C:

·      
MERS Lite policy

·      
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Policy

·      
Fostering Leave Policy

Decision

That:

a)   
The Mutual Early Resignation Scheme (MERS) Lite policy as set out in Appendix A is approved
and implemented from March 2023;

b)   
The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Policy as set
out in Appendix B is approved and implemented in April
2023;

c)   
Herefordshire Council adopts the Real Living Wage as a
supplement for council employees with effect from April 2023,
without seeking accreditation, and encourages other organisations
where the council is a majority shareholder, such as Hoople Ltd to
also adopt the Real Living Wage;

d)   
The Fostering Leave Policy as set out in Appendix C is
approved and implemented in May 2023, and the council achieves
accreditation with the Fostering Friendly network.