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20        (20) REMOVAL OF SPINAL COLUMN POINT 5 – The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report which outlined and sought approval for the deletion of spinal column point (SCP) 5 and the realignment of the grade1/grade 2 boundary.  This was following the implementation of the National Joint Council (NJC) pay award for 2015/2016.

It was explained that the NJC pay award was implemented with effect from 1 January 2015. As part of this agreement it was stipulated that Scp 5 would be deleted with effect from 1 October 2015.

A decision was sought to enable the necessary changes to be implemented from 1 October for all employees concerned.

Details of the proposed changes were outlined within the report and associated appendices.

Resolved – That option 1 as outlined within the report be approved and adopted.

21        (21)  NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE IMPLICATIONS FOR APPRENTICES – The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report which sought consideration of amendments to the council’s pay rates for apprentices to ensure continued compliance with National Minimum Wage (NMW) requirements.

It was explained that the NMW rates, including those for apprentices were due to increase with effect from 1 October 2015.

The council was obliged to increase the pay of those apprentices where the NMW dictated this.  The new rates were outlined within the report as option 1.

Resolved – That option 1 as outlined within the report be approved and adopted.

22        (22)  CHANGES TO SOCITM BETTER CONNECTED SURVEY – The Director of Policy & Resources submitted a report which provided a summary of the changes to the national 2015 SOCITM better connected assessment of local authority websites.

The SOCITM Better Connected survey was an annual assessment of over 430 local authority websites and had operated for 17 years.  As an outcome from the survey each council was awarded a rating of between one and four stars based on ease of completion of key tasks and overall usability.

The cabinet member was advised that for the previous two years North Lincolnshire Council had performed well scoring three stars (previously two star) supported by positive and favourable comments from the review team. The website was noted as one of the review team’s “five favourite sites” to use, narrowly missing out on a 4 star rating.

From September 2015 the focus of the Better Connected survey would change significantly. A summary of the key changes was set out in the report.  It was explained that the format would change to include a number of task / service specific inspections undertaken over a six month period. SOCITM had announced two initial inspection areas for unitary authorities and councils with county council functions, namely: “Planning” and “Transport and Buses”.

Each area would be assessed and awarded a rating of between one and four stars.  Results would be published on line for each component throughout the year and made available to the public and a wider audience such as industry suppliers.

Resolved – That the changes to the 2015 SOCITM Better Connected survey be noted.

23        (23) VIREMENTS 2015-16 – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which sought approval for changes to revenue and capital budgets for 2015-16 as part of the council’s policy of active budget management.

On 24 February 2015 Council approved the revenue and capital budgets for the 2015/16 financial year.  The report gave details of virements that required Cabinet Member approval.

Resolved – That the virements at paragraph 3.1 of the report be approved.

Note: Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.