LGRJF
facilitating local government reorganisation
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM JOINT FORUM
(JOINT FORUM)
HELD ON 15 MAY 2013 AT 2.30PM
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF COMMISSION OFFICES
COMMISSION HOUSE, 18-22 GORDON STREET, BELFAST
MEMBERS PRESENT
EMPLOYERS’ SIDE / TRADE UNION SIDENIJC
Jill Minne, Belfast City Council
Roger Wilson, Coleraine Borough Council
JNC
Cllr Seamus Doyle, Banbridge District Council
NICS
Mark Bailey, DFP
Linda MacHugh, DoE
NIHE and Other Transferring Functions
Maureen Taggart, NIHE / NIPSA
Pat Baker, Down District Council
Bumper Graham, Assistant General Secretary
Ryan McKinney, Assistant Secretary
Alanagh Rea, Belfast City Council
GMB
John Dawson, Senior Organiser
UNITE
Gareth Scott, Regional Organiser
Ken Clayton, Belfast City Council (substituting)
INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR
Paul O’ Brien, Chief Executive, APSE
INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT
Adrian Kerr, Chief Executive, Local Government Staff Commission for NI
Dermot O’ Hara, Director People Strategies, Local Government Staff Commission for NI
Diana Stewart, Senior Advisor, Local Government Staff Commission for NI
1.0APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and noted.
2.0MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE JOINT FORUM HELD ON 13 MARCH 2013
The Trade Union Side stated that Pat Baker attended the meeting and Jim Parker is a member of Unite.
The minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record subject to the above amendments.
2.1Matters Arising
2.1.1Resourcing of the Local Government Reform Joint Forum
Decision
Members agreed to assess the resourcing requirements on an on-going basis and if appropriate submit a business case to the Department of the Environment (DoE).
2.1.2Trade Union Side Lead meeting to discuss RPA Implementation Issues with DoE
The Trade Union Side Lead reported that he had met with Rob Lynas on 29 March to discuss RPA implementation issues.
The Trade Union Side Lead stated that the trade unions remained perturbed at the continued lack of information and reminded Linda MacHugh that the DoE website was not the vehicle for communication with the trade unions.
The Trade Union Side Lead further stated that unless progress is made action would be taken against the DoE for failing to disclose information for collective bargaining purposes.
The Employers’ Side acknowledged that there is a plethora of information to consider and no one information source.
Decision
Members agreed to hold a workshop facilitated by the Independent Facilitator and Secretariat to examine, clarify and agree the prioritised, detailed forward workplan and timetable for the Local Government Reform Joint Forum and consider the resource and information requirements.
The Secretariat was asked to make the necessary arrangements.
The Trade Union Side Lead agreed to provide a list of issues and information requirements for consideration by the DoE.
2.1.3Response Dated 28 March 2013 Received from Regional Governance Group
Members noted that the response had been received by the Side Leads.
Decision
Members agreed to invite David McCammick, ICE HR Work Stream Lead to a future meeting of the Joint Forum.
2.1.4Water Quality Inspectorate
The Secretariat provided an update on the proposed transfer of field staff from environmental health group committees to the NI Environment Agency, Water Quality Unit. He reported that the Joint Negotiating Forum had reconvened and met on 08 May 2013 and considered budgets and the transfer of field staff to NIEA.
Decision
Members agreed that the response to the submission to the Minister outlining various options and costings in relation to pension implications on the transfer of staff should be reported to the Joint Forum.
2.1.5Draft Scheme of Transfer for Local Government Staff
Decision
Members noted that the Secretariat is notifying the NIJC that Single Status implementation will be discussed at the next Joint Forum meeting.
The Employers’ Side Lead reported that DSD has indicated that it would only transfer the power to undertake Urban Regeneration rather than the transfer of the function from the DSD to Local Government.
Members noted that there would be no compulsory transfer of DSD staff to local government on 1 April 2015. Members agreed to consider the temporary transfer of staff from NICS to local government at the next meeting.
Members also noted that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will now produce its own Scheme of Transfer and would bring a draft for consideration by the Joint Forum in due course.
2.1.6Circular LGRJF/05RPA Staff Severance Scheme for Local Government
Decision
Members agreed that the agreed Joint Communication Bulletin should state that the Staff Severance Scheme may need to be revised in light of the proposed Local Government Pension Scheme (NI) 2014.
3.0LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM PROGRAMME - CURRENT CONTEXT UPDATE
Members agreed to consider Agenda Items 3.1 Local Government Reform and 3.3 Transfer of Functions together.
LindaMacHugh provided an overview of the local government reform programme, including the transfer of functions and the work of the HR Working Group.
Trade Union Side expressed concern at the lack of movement in the passage of the Local Government Bill to the Assembly and lack progress of the Statutory Transition Committee Regulations citing the impact on the appointment of senior staff.
Trade Union Side Lead emphasised that the organisational design of the new councils should be common, where possible, across the 11 organisations stating that it was a crucial matter for the Trade Unions in terms of staffing and structures.
Decision
Members noted the work to consider the RPA implications for Groups and Group Staff by the Department and agreed that it was a matter for the Joint Forum. Members further agreed that the needs of Group Staff were fully and properly addressed in phases 1 and 2 of the vacancy control system.
Members also agreed that the numbers of staff transferring with functions should be reported to the Joint Forum at the earliest opportunity.
The Trade Union Side Lead requested clarity on the arrangements for the appointment of chief executives. Linda McHugh stated that it was the Minister’s intention to use open competition to select chief executives for the 11new councils.
Trade Union Side proposed that the Joint Forum write to the Minister endorsing the legal opinion obtained by the Joint Forum and reminding him that any different approach would be outwith the NI Executive Guiding Principles issued by the Public Service Commission.The Trade Union Side emphasised that the Joint Forum had been established to ensure consistent application of the Guiding principles for all local government staff.
The Employers’ Side felt that the Minister was well aware of the view of the Joint Forum and had all the necessary information and that they await a formal response as soon as possible.
Decision
Members agreed that when an announcement is made on the approach to chief executive recruitment that the Joint Forum Side Leads will meet within 36 hours to discuss the Minister’s statement.
3.2Improvement, Collaboration and Efficiency (ICE) Programme
Decision
As agreed at Item 2.1.3.
4.0PROGRESS ON JOINT FORUM IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
4.1Local Consultation and Negotiation Forums at Transition Committee Level
The Secretariat provided an overview of responses received from Local Forums in respect of Vacancy Control implementation, timing and phasing of ‘at risk’ posts and forward work plans.
Members again stressed the importance of identifying and notifying staff who will not be affected as soon as possible.
Trade Union Side expressed concern that some council clusters are not abiding by Joint Forum agreements.
Decision
Members agreed that enforcement of Joint Forum agreements should be discussed at the planned workshop (as discussed at Item 2.1.2).
Members further agreed that it would not be appropriate to implement all remaining potentially ‘at risk’ posts until there was further clarity around the reform legislation.
The Secretariat agreed to contact the relevant council clusters to provide the outstanding information.
4.2Draft Scheme of Transfer for Local Government Staff
Decision
Members agreed that the draft Scheme would be finalised once the relevant provisions within the Local Government Bill were made available.
4.3Filling Posts in the New Council Structures including the Recruitment Documentation for the Appointment of Chief Executives to the New Council Structures
The Secretariat provided an update on the Job Comparison and Evaluation exercise currently being undertaken by Local Government Association.
Decision
Members agreed that the Secretariat should circulate the outcomes to the Side Leads for consideration as soon as they are available.
4.4Location, Relocation and Expenses Options Paper
Decision
Members agreed to establish a Task and Finish Working Group to consider principles and comparisons fit for the reform purpose.
4.5A New Approach to Recruiting and Developing Local Government Staff
Decision
Members endorsed the Paper subject to minor amendments.
4.6Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees
Decision
It was agreed to run this Task and Finish Working Group with the Location, Relocation and Expenses Working Group.
4.7Harmonisation of Terms and Conditions
Decision
Members noted the Draft Unified Pay and Reward Framework for Local Government and agreed that councils needed to resolve outstanding Single Status issues as a matter of urgency.
5.0Any Other Notified, Agreed Business
5.1Letter from General Register Office (GRO) to Transition Manager contacts
Decision
Members agreed to write to GRO informing them that the staffing issues are a matter for the Joint Forum and that they need to engage. The Side Leads agreed to seek a meeting, if appropriate.
5.2Retirement of Maureen Taggart
The Independent Facilitator informed Members that Maureen Taggart the Employers’ Side Lead was retiring in June 2013.
The Trade Union Side paid tribute to Maureen’s contribution to the success of the Joint Forum and wished her well in the future.
Decision
Maureen reported that the Employers’ Side had agreed that Roger Wilson would take over as Side Lead and that Maurice Jennings, Assistant Director of Personnel, NIHE would join the Joint Forum representing other Transferring Functions.
6.0Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting and Schedule of Meetings
Decision
Members agreed the schedule of dates for Joint Forum meetings up to December 2013.
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