The Human Resources Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 7 March 2024 to discuss employee relations, senior recruitment, disciplinary procedures for statutory officers, and the council's pay policy. Key decisions included the agreement to provide a trend analysis of employment tribunals, the request for timelines on filling senior management vacancies, and the approval of updated disciplinary procedures for statutory officers and the 2024/25 pay policy.

Employee Relations Casework Update

The committee received an update on employee relations casework for the period of October to December 2023. Julie Lorraine, Corporate Director of Resources, informed members about the resolution of the waste services dispute, which saw approximately 127 temporary staff members transferred to permanent council employment. The committee also heard about ongoing issues within the Housing Options service, where trade unions had indicated support for strike action. Following meetings with union members, requests were made for a listening group and formal mediation. Other concerns raised included inconsistencies in overtime payments and flexi-time arrangements. A manager who was the subject of staff concerns has since left the organisation, and the outcome of a collective grievance is anticipated.

In response to questions, officers clarified that an increase in grievances was partly due to the integration of Tower Hamlets Homes cases back into the council. It was noted that some tribunal cases are ongoing from previous years, and a review of the Acas pre-conciliation process is underway. The committee resolved to receive a trend analysis of tribunals with quarterly comparisons and to note the report.

Update on Senior Recruitment

Julie Lorraine also presented an update on senior recruitment, outlining current vacancies and interim arrangements. The committee requested a timeline for when these senior management posts would be filled. It was resolved that this timeline would be submitted for review and that the report on the current recruitment position be noted.

Update on Disciplinary Action Process for Statutory Officers

Richard Penn, Advisor to Mayor Lutfur Rahman and the Chief Executive Officer, presented a report on new disciplinary procedures for statutory officers: the Head of Paid Service (CEO), the Monitoring Officer (Director of Legal Services), and the Section 151 Officer (Chief Finance Officer). Mr Penn explained that the council's constitution currently lacks adequate procedures for dealing with disciplinary actions against these officers, despite the CEO already having contractual entitlements to special procedures.

The proposed new procedures aim to provide a level of external independence. This would involve establishing a politically balanced Investigation and Disciplinary Committee to examine concerns. If deemed necessary, an independent investigator would be commissioned, and findings considered by independent members of the Standards Committee. Recommendations for dismissal would be presented to Full Council for final approval. An Appeal Sub-committee would be formed for recommendations other than dismissal. The power to suspend an officer in urgent cases would be delegated to the Director of Workforce, OD and Business Support (or equivalent), in consultation with the Mayor and the Chair of the Investigation and Disciplinary Committee.

Following discussion, the committee resolved to amend the wording of the recommendations to include consultation with the Mayor and to delegate authority for minor non-material changes to the Director of Workforce, OD and Business Support (or equivalent). The updated disciplinary action process for statutory officers was agreed and noted.

Pay Policy 2024/25

Julie Lorraine presented the draft 2024/25 pay policy statement for consideration. Minor amendments were noted, including adjustments to the wording regarding the threshold for severance arrangements and an expansion of the benchmarking for senior staff salaries to include the wider market. The committee requested that the wording be amended to include consultation with the Mayor in the delegation of minor changes to the pay policy statement. The report on the pay policy statement for 2024/25 was agreed and noted.