Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service regarding various changes to the Council’s Constitution.

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service regarding various changes to the Council’s Constitution.

13.1  The Committee considered the report of the Head of Paid Service concerning the proposed changes to the Officer Code of Conduct and the Planning Committee Functions.  The report also sought authority to update the Council Procedure Rules in relation to Questions by the Public Question; Petitions and Deputations from the Public; questions by Members and Motions on Notice.

13.2  The Monitoring Officer presented the report and provided a summary of the proposed changes as follows:

13.3  Officer Code of Conduct

·        The Officer Code of Conduct had been updated to reflect the changes made to the Members’ Code of Conduct in 2023, including mirroring the duty placed on Members to act in a professional manner to maintain public confidence in the Council as a whole.

·        Further clarification of the expectations relating to personal relationships between Officers and Officers and Members had been included.

·        Provisions relating to the use of substances which could have an impact on Officers’ ability to carry out their role had been reinforced.

·        It was proposed that provisions relating to secondary employment be extended from Officer at an F Grade and above only to all officers as the Council had a duty to take reasonable measures to protect the wellbeing of all of its staff.

·        Expectations of Officers in relation to the use of Council facilities and systems, as well as social media, had been updated.

13.4  The Monitoring Officer noted that any changes to the Code would be subject to agreement with the Trade Unions and a meeting had been scheduled to discuss this with them.

13.5  In response to a question from the Chair relating to secondary employment to those Officers on Grade F, the Policy and Governance Manager advised that this grade included some Team Leaders and some below Team Leader level. 

13.6  The Monitoring Officer added while some Council’s prohibited any secondary employment, others permitted it but required all staff to obtain permission from the Council. She advised that guidance would provided to those responsible for determining requests to ensure that the individual’s wellbeing was a factor in consideration.

13.7  In response to a question from the Chair enquiring whether any Officers currently engage in secondary employment, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that there were Officers who held two jobs.

13.8  Councillor Hilton asked how the provisions affect Officers who held a high-level job share position or only worked three days a week due to a secondary employment. The Monitoring Officer advised that the decision would be made by the employee’s Line Manager and would be part of their terms and conditions. The Secondary Employment Policy would be secondary to any signed contract between the City Council and the employee.

13.9  The Committee confirmed its support for the revised Officer Code of Conduct.

13.10  Changes to Functions of Planning Committee

·       Where a Section 106 was required, it would only be required for the delivery of onsite affordable housing, these would not automatically be referred to Committee. 40% of the housing would be required to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13