Agenda and minutes

Any substitute members should declare their substitution.

Councillors Andy McGregor and Joe Pannell substituted for Councillors Carson Albury and Mandy Buxton respectively.

To approve the minutes of the Joint Staff Committee meeting held on 31 March 2022, copies of which have been previously circulated.

Resolved that the minutes of the Joint Staff Committee meeting held on the 31 March 2022, be approved as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda.  Declarations should also be made at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. 

If in doubt, contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest by those present.

So as to provide the best opportunity for the Committee to provide the public with the fullest answer, questions from the public should be submitted by midday on Thursday 6th October 2022.

Questions should be submitted to Democratic Services -

democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

No public questions were received.

To consider any items the Chairman of the meeting considers to be urgent.

There were no items raised under urgency provisions.

To consider the report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources, attached as Item 6.

A report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources saught approval of the Adur & Worthing Councils new Period and Menopause policy which was recommended for implementation for all staff as best practice.

There was no policy or promoted support channels in relation to managing period related problems and menopause in the workplace. 

The aim of the policy was to set out the rights of employees experiencing symptoms caused by the menopause, their period or any other related issues and those who may be impacted by a partner or dependent who is experiencing any symptoms.

The Joint Staff Committee was recommended to approve the new Period and Menopause Policy with immediate effect and was asked to delegate authority to the Head of Human Resources (in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and the Head of Legal Services, where relevant) in order to make minor and non-material amendments to this policy at any time.

Members asked questions about who was covered by the policy, any missing elements that were covered by existing policies and those with long term issues. The Head of Human Resources answered that anyone affected by symptoms would be covered and that occupational health was also in place to help staff.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Robina Baine, seconded by Councillor Joe Pannell and unanimously supported.

Decision 

The Joint Staff Committee 

1.      Approved implementation of the new Period and Menopause Policy with immediate effect.

2.      Delegated authority to the Head of Human Resources (in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and the Head of Legal Services, where relevant) in order to make minor and non-material amendments to this policy at any time.