northlincs.gov.uk

PRESENT: Councillor Jawaid MBE in the chair.

Councillors Glover (Vice-Chair), Bainbridge, Barkworth, Ellerby, Poole and Waltham.

Councillor Collinson attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.37(b).

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

233 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUCICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following members declared personal interests:

No whip was declared.

234 MINUTES – Resolved – (a) That the minutes of the proceedings of this panel held on1 February 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair, and (b) that the Service Director Legal and Democratic write to Councillor Wardle, on behalf of the scrutiny panel, to pass on the members best wishes as he recovers from ill health.

235 PUBLIC SPEAKING – There were no requests received.

236 (27) SICKNESS ABSENCE – The chair welcomed Keith Ford, Service Director Neighbourhood and Environmental Services, Councillor L Foster, Cabinet Member Neighbourhood, Environmental and Communities, Becky McIntyre, Head of Resources, Children and Young People Service and Councillor Gosling, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to the meeting. The aforementioned members and officers had been invited to discuss their service areas sickness absence statistics. This followed a report considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 25 January 2011, whereby the council’s sickness absence statistics had been circulated for consideration.

Also in attendance was Christine Wilkinson, the council’s Head of Organisational Development, who had kindly agreed to be the panel’s expert adviser on human resources policies and procedures.

The chair then facilitated a lengthy discussion with all stakeholders on sickness absence issues directly affecting their service areas.

Resolved – (a) That Keith Ford, Councillor L Foster, Becky McIntyre, Councillor Gosling and Christine Wilkinson be thanked for their attendance and for answering members questions, and (b) that the council’s Chief Executive and Assistant Director Human Resources be invited to a future meeting to discuss the council’s sickness absence policies and procedures further.

237 (28) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – MARCH TO JUNE 2011 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for March to June May 2011.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis. Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.

Resolved – That the Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan for March to June 2011 be noted.

238 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.