Issue - meetings

The report before Members detailed the call-in of a Key Executive Decision relating to Adopt London East.

A requisition signed by Councillor Keith Darvill and Graham Williamson had been called-in the Executive Decision dated 16 January 2019.

The reasons for the call-in were as follows: 

1.    Concerns about the extent and adequacy of the consultation with staff representatives.

2.    Clarify in relation to employment conditions of staff to be transferred.

3.    Clarity about the impact on staff impacted by the proposals.

Councillor Darvill addressed the Board, during which he raised concern that inadequate staff consultation had taken place and questioned the impact on staff on travelling outside of their current region and how the different terms and conditions across the four boroughs would be standardised. 

Councillor Williamson addressed the Board, during which he reinforced the sentiments of his fellow councillor.

Members were advised that the informal consultation with staff had taken place in the development of proposals for a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA), which included monthly partnership board meetings to steer the future direction of the RAA and plan for implementation; and early staff engagement events to enable the Council to engage staff on the journey to becoming the East London Regionalised Adoption Agency at the earliest stage. There had been early union engagement prior to formal consultation, however officers were unable to start statutory formal consultation with the unions and staff until there had been full sign off from Cabinet in all authorities. 

Officers advised that staff would transfer under TUPE regulations over to the new service hosted by Havering Council.  To ensure that those employees affected were treated fairly throughout the consultation period, a joint change management terms of agreed had been agreed across the four borough which had been shared with trade unions.  The Council would continue to engage with trade unions in order to reach an agreement prior to formal consultation.  In line with the statutory consultation guidelines, staff would have the opportunity during the formal consultation period to attend joint meetings and individual consultation meetings to discuss their individual concerns and circumstances. 

It was explained that the rationale for Havering, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Barking and Dagenham to create a RAA was based on the existing adoption and consortium arrangements. It was proposed that the arrangements with other boroughs in the consortium would continue on an informal basis. 

Gabby Lawlor, representative for UNISON, addressed the Board, during which she expressed concerns regarding the lack of engagement with trade unions.  Staff had expressed that they had concerns that the proposed model would not be fit for purpose due to the lack of staff coverage across the four boroughs and believed that due diligence had not been completed.  Furthermore, UNISON challenged the legality of transferring all staff onto Havering Terms and Conditions.  UNISON requested that the business case be amended to reflect the outcome from Tower Hamlets decision dated 30 January 2019 and that the Cabinet report be either amended or that assurances be confirmed that engagement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22