Councillor Durkin was elected as chairperson for the meeting in the absence of the standing chair and vice-chair.

Apologies were received from councillors H Bramer and RJ Phillips.

To receive details of any member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the panel.

Councillor BA Durkin substituted for Councillor H Bramer.

To receive any declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2018.

As the only panel member in attendance who was also present at the previous meeting Councillor Seldon confirmed that the minutes were an accurate record.

Resolved:

that the minutes of the meeting of 26 November 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed.

To receive any written questions from members of the public.

Details of the scheme and related guidance are available here:

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200148/your_council/61/get_involved

Please submit questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk

The deadline for the receipt of questions is 8 January 2019 [3 clear working days before] at 5.00 pm.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive any written questions from councillors.

Please submit questions to councillorservices@herefordshire.gov.uk

The deadline for the receipt of questions is 8 January 2019 [three clear working days before] at 5.00 pm.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting.

There were no questions from councillors.

To consider the 2019 pay policy statement for recommendation to Council.

The chairman introduced the item and noted that this was an annual report which the panel was required to consider and recommend to Council.

In discussion of the report it was clarified that:

·         the council engaged apprentices in a wide range of roles and through different mechanisms, for example some were basic apprenticeships through the apprenticeship framework while others were existing employees on the main payroll who accessed an apprenticeship through the apprenticeship levy funding;

·         apprentices were spread across departments, the total number of apprentices would be provided to panel members following the meeting (this was subsequently confirmed as exactly 40);

·         everything within the policy complied fully with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011;

·         where national frameworks applied, the policy followed these in full.

Resolved that:

(a)  the draft pay policy statement at appendix A be recommended to full Council for approval;

(b)  Council approves in year recruitment, should the need arise, to any posts listed with salaries over £100,000.