Agenda item

6.1

Public Question in respect of Learning Disability Carers

6.1.1

Adam Butcher asked what could be done to ensure that Learning Disability Carers are involved with the Commissioning Plan for Adult and Parent Carers, on the agenda for today’s meeting.

6.1.2

Councillor Cate McDonald, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, responded that an extensive consultation had been undertaken with carers over an 18 month period. The report on the agenda for today’s meeting was the final piece of the jigsaw in respect of how to utilise the funding.

6.1.3

All interested parties had been involved in the consultation and the Council had listened to what they had to say. The process would continue following approval of the report. The Carers Strategy would be re-examined following the publication of the National Carers Strategy. If Mr Butcher or others felt that there was something missing from the Plan or that the Council could do better they should get in touch.

6.2

Public Question in respect of Agency Staffing Provision

6.2.1

Nigel Slack commented that he was interested to read the report, being considered at the meeting today, on the proposed Temporary Staff contract tender and was glad to see the Foundation Living Wage from day one of employment as part of this tender, in line with the Council’s previous commitments.

6.2.2

Mr Slack added that the Living Wage was, however, only one part of an employment package and he would like to ask the Council if they would also commit to making reasonable minimum requirements for areas such as sick pay, holiday pay and entitlement, minimum hours etc. as part of this temporary staffing contract?  Mr Slack also asked whether, in line with commitments made last year, the contract would be available for public scrutiny, as far as commercial confidentiality allows, and ask that any redactions will be rigorously challenged before being accepted?

6.2.3

In response, Councillor Ben Curran, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, stated that under the Agency Working Regulations Law, temporary staff were required to receive the same conditions as permanent members of staff from 12 weeks. Under the proposals outlined in the report on today’s agenda, temporary staff would receive the same conditions as employees of the Council as permanent staff from their first day of employment on a pro rata basis. The contract would be available for public scrutiny subject to the usual regulations on commercial confidentiality.

6.3

Public Question in respect of the Future of Public Buildings

6.3.1

Nigel Slack commented that there was a persistent rumour that the Council was in preliminary discussion with a major hotel group regarding the future of the Graves building and therefore the Central Library and the Graves Art Gallery. Could the Council confirm if they are now or ever have been in discussion with any hotel group or other potential developer with respect to this building? Will the Council also confirm whether there is any covenant or other legal constraint on the Council to prevent such a move in the future?

6.3.2

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure, commented that the Graves building and others referred to were very important buildings. A number of possible options for their futures had been looked at over the years but she was not aware of any discussions with the hotel group. A written response would be provided to Mr Slack in respect of the question of the covenant.