Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This report sets out AGMA’s proposed protocol to recognise accrued continuous service for employees changing jobs between local government, the Combined Authority or the NHS in Greater Manchester.  The Council is being recommended to adopt the protocol and recognises continuous service for occupational benefits and redundancy purposes for employees who voluntarily change jobs between these organisations, in order to promote a more flexible workforce across sectors working in close partnership arrangements.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposal.

Officer contact Andrea Steward/ Janet Wood, 0161 218 1416 / 0161 474 4443, andrea.steward@stockport.gov.uk / janet.wood@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider a proposal for a protocol to recognise accrued continuous service for employees changing jobs between local government, the Combined Authority or the NHS in Greater Manchester. 

It was clarified that the report had been considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority at its meeting on 31 March 2018 and that it had been agreed that Pension and Redundancy benefits would not be in scope for the initial 12 month implementation of the proposal, after which time this would be revisited to determine the likely impact.

Councillors were broadly supportive of the proposals for the extension of recognition of continuous service for occupational benefits, although concerns were expressed about the whether extending the protocol to include pension and redundancy benefits would negatively impact the public purse.

In particular, some councillors expressed concerns that staff being made redundant from one organisation that was party to the protocol then taking up a role with another organisation and continuing to accrue benefits. Other councillors expressed support for the principal as providing residents with increased opportunities for employment and protection from redundancy. Assurances were given that all existing restrictions and protections for employers making redundancy payments would be maintained.

Councillors welcomed the suggestion of a 12 month review of the operation of the protocol and suggested this be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.