Decisions

To seek approval from the Chief Officer to make honorarium payments to Children and Family Services Employees

That the Corporate Asset Manager approve the occupation of Unit 12 Pontnewynydd Small Business Centre, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool at an annual rent of £3,250, on the details outlined in this report.

That the Corporate Asset Manager approves the renewal of the lease of Unit 20 Oldbury Business Centre, Oldbury Road, Cwmbran at an annual rent of £4,100 on the details outlined in this report.

To consider amendments to the small corporate ICT client team within Financial Services.

Approval sought for the granting of a 12 month tenancy agreement to Dialogic (UK) Limited for Unit 29, Springboard Business Innovation Centre

Approval sought for the fees and charges across the Service Area as outlined in Appendix 2

Approval sought under delegated powers to make a Temporary Prohibition of Pedestrians Order, in respect of the above named public footpath

Approval sought tomake a temporary amendment to the adult community learning structure

Approval sought to terminate employment on the grounds of an unsatisfactory probationary period

Approval sought for expenditure on the schemes included in the Council's Highway Maintenance and Needs Based and Welsh Government Grant Works Programme for 2019/20

Approval sought to recruit staff into the Inspire to Work and Inspire to Achieve Project Teams to cover staff absences.

To inform the Chief Officer of The Travel Buddies Scheme, and see Exemption from Contract Orders for a fixed period of time. The reasons for looking to secure an exemption are the time limits due to the funding restrictions and the need to work with a specific Gwent wide provider.

To inform the Chief Officer of A Good Life project, and seek exemption from Contract Standing Orders for a fixed period of time. The reasons for looking to secrure an exemption are the time limits due to the funding restrictions and the need to work with a specific type of Gwent wide provider

This report proposes changes to the HR establishment that are enabled by the deletion of two vacant positions, the creation of alternative positions and amendment to existing positions. As well as enhancing service capacity, the proposed changes will facilitate internal career development, demonstrate the Council’s commitment to supporting the employment of Armed Forces Veterans and provide a permanent and paid supported employment position for a disabled employee. The proposals also release a modest budgetary saving of approximately £6,000 per annum. In summary, the changes proposed are as follows:

• The deletion of a vacant full-time Senior HR Adviser position (Grade 8)
• The creation of a full-time HR Adviser position (Career Grade 5 – 7) ring-fenced to staff within HR Services
• The subsequent deletion of a position within HR Services (Grade 4)
• The creation of a supported employment position on a permanent basis for two days per week (Grade 1)
• The creation of a full-time trainee role within Organisational Development (Grade 1) and the appointment of an Armed Forces Veteran to this position.
• The re-grading of three Health and Safety Advisers from Grade 7 to Grade 8 to recognise additional responsibilities following the deletion of the Health and Safety Manager position.
• The re-grading of two HR Services Officer positions from Grade 4 to Grade 5 to recognise additional responsibilities associated with providing support for triage support to the service as well as responsibility for a routine employee relations caseload primarily related to recruitment and absence management activity.
• The increase in hours from 30hrs per week to full-time for a vacant Senior Systems Officer position.

To request the approval of the Assistant Chief Executive (Resources) to:

permanently re-grade an officer in the Admin & Business Support (ABS) Service in recognition of them undertaking additional onerous duties;

increase the hours of a Business Support Assistant in the Central Education Hub (ALN/Inclusion) to meet increased demand in a vulnerable service area;

approve a temporary honorarium for a Business Support Assistant in the Adult Community Learning (ACL) ABS Hub and

approve the request for flexible retirement of a Business Support Officer, Sports Development.