Agenda item

The Assistant Chief Executive to provide a report back on the review exercise completed on the application of ringfences in the Procurement officer appointment process .Report to follow

Arising from concerns on the application of ringfences in the Procurement Service Function Review, the Committee had asked the Assistant Chief Executive to undertake a review of these. The Assistant Chief Executive had met with the Trade Unions, Human Resources representatives and Procurement Service Managers before completing the review. There was examination of the job descriptions, particularly the roles which were for assimilation and which had caused the most concern amongst employees. The Assistant Chief Executive had considered the criteria for assimilation and how it had been applied. He was satisfied that there was the required  substantial overlap in duties  between the former and new post to which  post holders were being assimilated to warrant this action. He had next considered whether a wider group of posts could also be included, generating ringfences for those jobs identified for assimilation.  Arising from this consideration he had recommended a change to the application of the ringfence of the Procurement contract officer. This would involve 5 posts being subject to an open ringfence meaning that more staff from the various departments could take part in the recruitment to these posts. It was noted that some of these 5 posts were in specialist areas and the staff involved in this interview process would be asked to state their preference to allow each interview to be tailored to the requirements of each job. It was noted that three other requests for changes from the unions were considered but not felt to warrant change.

The Chair asked the Employee side to share their views on the report with the Committee. The Employee side acknowledged the discussions with the Assistant Chief Executive on this matter and the efforts made to analyse the ringfence applications to ensure that they had been fair and included opportunity for employees involved in the review to apply for posts.  However, further to the outcomes of the Assistant Chief Executives report, concerns remained and the Employee side wished to place on record their continued opposition to the final application of ringfences.  They advised the Committee that during this review period, staff had already been informed on the final plans for the application of ringfences which had left the employees and the Employee side with reservations on whether their views had been valued.  The Assistant Chief Executive advised that he had not been aware of this situation. Going forward, there were lessons to be learned from the service function review, including managers briefing their staff on Committee reports before they were considered at Committee. He acknowledged that there were sensitivities to be aware as this review progressed and advised that his dialogue would continue with this service and he would keep the Employee side and Chair of the Committee informed of any issues.

RESOLVED

        i.            It be noted that the Assistant Chief Executive had reviewed the ring fence proposals for the procurement service. This had included discussions with management, Human Resources and the trade unions.

      ii.            It be noted that arising from the review changes to the schedule of ringfences had been made.