Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillor Mein.

Members are asked to consider any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the agenda.

None.

Included are the minutes of the meetings held on Monday 9 January 2023 at 11.30 am and 12.30 pm, to be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Employment Committee meetings held on 9 January 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record.

Deborah Barrow, Head of Human Resources presented the revised Priority Access to Vacancies Policy and Procedure for approval.

It was highlighted that this was an initial review to bring the policy's procedural elements in line with current working practices and to ensure compliance with equality legislation.

Resolved: That the revised Priority Access to Vacancies Policy and Procedure, as set out, be approved.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There was one item of Urgent Business to be considered, as follows:

Ann Edwards, Coroner Services Manager presented a report which set out the proposed pay award for the Senior and Area Coroner salaries and fees paid to Assistant Coroners for 2022/23.

In agreement with the Chair, the report was presented under Urgent Business in order for the 2022/23 pay award to be determined before the end of the financial year.

In considering the report, it was agreed there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information during the subsequent discussion and therefore it was:

Resolved: That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The committee highlighted the excellent work of the Coroner Services, in particular the out of hours service provided by the Senior Coroner.

It was noted that the Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Coroner Area did not include Blackpool or the Fylde, though the Chief Coroner's guidance was for consistency between local government and coroner areas. It was requested that officers consider options for the possible unification of the coroner areas in the future.

Resolved: That

i)  The 4% increase in the Senior and Area Coroners' salaries, as set out in the report, be approved with effect from 1 April 2022;

ii)  The revised on-call remuneration package for the Senior and Area Coroners, as set out in the report, be approved with effect from 1 April 2022;

iii)  The proposed court suit allowance for the Senior and Area Coroners, as set out in the report, be approved with effect from 1 April 2022; and

iv)  The 1.56% increase in fees paid to Assistant Coroners, as set out in the report, be approved with effect from 1 April 2022.

The next meeting of the committee will be held on Thursday 11 May 2023 at 1.00 pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Employment Committee would be held on Thursday 11 May 2023 at 1.00 pm, at County Hall, Preston.

The committee is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972, as indicated against the heading to the item.

It was noted that the press and members of the public had already been excluded from the meeting on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

It was considered that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.  It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information).

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interests in disclosing the information.)

Sean Green, Head of Fund presented a private and confidential report which outlined the 2023/24 pay proposals for the Local Pensions Partnership Limited.

It was noted that information relating to the Pension Fund's performance would provide helpful context for the committee's consideration of future reports.

Resolved: That

i)  The 2023/24 Pay Grade Structure, as set out in the report, be approved;

ii)  The 2023/24 remuneration for the Executive Directors including the Chief Executive Officer, as set out in the report, be approved;

iii)  The unchanged Remuneration Policy be noted; and

iv)  The salaries over £100,000, as set out in the report, be noted.