The Employment Sub-Committee of North Somerset Council met on Monday 14 September 2026. The primary item scheduled for discussion was a Stage 3 Grievance Appeal. The meeting also included procedural items such as the election of a Chairperson and the declaration of disclosable pecuniary interests.

Stage 3 Grievance Appeal

The main item on the agenda was a Stage 3 Grievance Appeal. The report pack indicated that a copy of the appeal hearing procedure was provided to attendees. This procedure outlines the steps for conducting such an appeal, including the presentation of cases by both the appellant and management, questioning of witnesses, and the deliberation and announcement of the sub-committee's decision. The appellant's submission and supporting documents, along with the management's submission and supporting documents, were also included as confidential papers for the sub-committee's consideration. The sub-committee was scheduled to deliberate in private, with the HR representative and clerk in attendance, and the appellant and management representative would only be recalled to clarify points of uncertainty. The sub-committee's decision was to be announced to all parties present and confirmed in writing within two working days of the hearing.

Procedural Matters

Before addressing the grievance appeal, the sub-committee was scheduled to elect a Chairperson for the meeting. Following this, members were to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, as per Standing Order 39 of the council's standing orders. This involves members declaring any financial interests that relate to matters being considered at the meeting. Members with such interests are legally prohibited from participating in the debate and must leave the meeting before the discussion begins. The agenda also included a provision for the exclusion of the press and public from certain parts of the meeting if the consideration of business involved the disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972.