Issue - items at meetings - Dignity and Respect at Work Policy

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

RESOLVED - That the Committee notes the contents of the report and the intention to bring the final draft of the policy to the Governance Committee for consideration at its next meeting to be held on 13 July 2010.

103.1    The Committee considered a report of the Director of Strategy & Governance providing Members with a position statement on the development of the new Dignity and Respect at Work Policy.

103.2    Councillor Mears commented that it would have been helpful for the Committee to have been provided with a copy of the draft policy. She stated that Members needed assurances that that the whole organisation was signed up to the policy.

103.3    Councillor Fallon-Khan stated that is was important for the council to pursue the creation of the policy and that it would set new parameters that would be clear for all Members and staff.

103.4    The Assistant Director for Human Resources explained that officers had consulted with all key groups within the council and that a scrutiny panel had also worked on the policy; it was the need to engage effectively with staff that had prolonged the process.

103.5    The Director of Strategy & Governance confirmed that following consideration at the Overview & Scrutiny Commission, the finalised draft policy would be considered by the Committee in July. He added that the policy would become part of the HR framework and that all staff would have to abide by it.

103.6    Councillor Simpson stated that the work done the by scrutiny panel had resulted in an improved policy and that she looked forward to considering it in July.

103.7    RESOLVED - That the Committee notes the contents of the report and the intention to bring the final draft of the policy to the Governance Committee for consideration at its next meeting to be held on 13 July 2010.