Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that officers would consider the feedback provided at the meeting in respect of the use of the word ‘customer’ on the posters and whether that might need to be altered depending on the Council establishment;

(ii)       to note the content of the report and the progress made to date, including staff development and the overall action plan developed;

(iii)      to note the discrete activity being progressed by the Education Service in collaboration with Trade Unions to formulate an Action Plan to be presented at Education and Children’s Services Committee in April 2024;

(iv)      to instruct the Interim Chief Officer – People and Citizen Services to combine the three closely linked policies, procedures and approaches relating to Zero Tolerance, Violence and Aggression, and Unacceptable Actions into a single policy; with the exception of pupil behaviour in schools as this was governed by national policy and guidance; and report back to Committee for approval of the final policy; and

(v)      to approve the described approach in forming a pledge to encompass the spirit of mutual respect.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director – Corporate Services which provided an update on progress and activities in relation to the development of a Zero Tolerance approach of violent, aggressive and/or abusive behaviour towards staff.

Members and Trade Union advisers asked a number of questions on the report, including the use of the approach and posters in other Council establishments.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the content of the report and the progress made to date, including staff development and the overall action plan developed;

(b)      note the discrete activity being progressed by the Education Service in collaboration with Trade Unions to formulate an Action Plan to be presented at Education and Children’s Services Committee in April 2024;

(c)      instruct the Interim Chief Officer – People and Citizen Services to combine the three closely linked policies, procedures and approaches relating to Zero Tolerance, Violence and Aggression, and Unacceptable Actions into a single policy; with the exception of pupil behaviour in schools as this was governed by national policy and guidance; and report back to Committee for approval of the final policy; and

(d)      approve the described approach in forming a pledge to encompass the spirit of mutual respect.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would consider the feedback provided at the meeting in respect of the use of the word ‘customer’ on the posters and whether that might need to be altered depending on the Council establishment; and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations contained in the report.