The Joint Consultative Committee meeting was scheduled to discuss the Facilities Time / Recognition Agreement, the Pay Award for 2026/27, and the ongoing Ambition 25 initiative. The meeting also included the agreement of previous minutes and the potential exclusion of the public for discussions on HR Risk Assessment and other confidential matters.

Facilities Time / Recognition Agreement

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Facilities Time / Recognition Agreement, a topic jointly raised by the GMB and Unite trade unions. This agreement outlines the framework for how trade unions and the City Corporation work together. The previous meeting in February 2026 had noted that the City Corporation's Union Recognition Agreement was being reviewed and updated from its 2000 version. The intention was to create a modernised framework that formally recognised GMB and Unite, incorporated recent changes to the Employment Rights Act, clarified the scope of trade union representation, strengthened collective bargaining and consultation arrangements, and reflected current organisational structures and work practices. Trade union representatives had previously expressed support for this development, with one noting that a partnership arrangement would not be appropriate as the Recognition Agreement already covered their working relationship.

Pay Award 2026/27

A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to the Pay Award for 2026/27. This included items raised jointly by GMB and Unite, as well as items raised by the City Corporation. The Chief People Officer was scheduled to be heard on this matter. In the previous meeting, trade union representatives had presented their pay award claim for 2026/27.

Ambition 25

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on Ambition 25, a strategic initiative by the City Corporation. The Chief People Officer was expected to provide information on this item.

Minutes and Other Business

The meeting was scheduled to begin with the agreement of the public minutes and non-public summary from the previous Joint Consultative Committee meeting held on 10 February 2026. There were also provisions for members to raise questions on matters relating to the committee's work and for any other urgent business to be considered.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was scheduled to be considered for the exclusion of the public from the meeting for specific agenda items. This was to allow for discussions on exempt information, including an HR Risk Assessment raised jointly by GMB and Unite, and other non-public matters. The confidential agenda also included the agreement of confidential minutes from the February meeting and further discussions on the Pay Award and Ambition 25.