Agenda item - HR/Payroll System

Verbal Update on Progress from the Head of HR Strategy Policy & Projects.

50.1         The Head of HR Strategy and Projects, Katie Ogden, gave a verbal update to the Committee and explained that there two outstanding recommendations which would be implemented by the end of the month. All the high priority recommendations had been implemented. One aspect of the complexity of the payroll at the Council had been addressed; over 800 staff had been moved from weekly to monthly payment; work had been undertaken with staff and provision had been put in place to help individuals manage this transition. There is currently a pilot on electronic entry by employees and their managers regarding monthly claims for overtime, mileage and working patterns. and the service was preparing for the roll out of auto-enrolment into the Pension Scheme and Real Time Information to HMRC.

50.2         Councillor Ann Norman asked what changes had been made to address problems in relation to missed deadlines by managers for payments claims. In response it was explained that in each case a judgement would made weighing up the amount and the potential affect on the employee; measures were also in place to issue warnings to managers and potentially charge them for late claims.

50.3         Dr Horne asked if there were any audit issues in relation to Payroll, and in response the Auditors highlighted that they could not comment until they commenced work on the 2012/13 accounts.

50.4         The Chair noted he was pleased to hear that the situation was progressing and understood the level of work that had been undertaken.