New Forest Borough Council
Councillors:
48
Wards:
28
Committees:
14
Meetings (2026):
65
Meetings (2025):
80
Meeting
HR Committee - New Forest
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 11th June 2026
10:00 AM
Thursday, 11th June 2026
10:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 11th June 2026
2:00 PM
Thursday, 11th June 2026
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
11 Jun 2026
11 Jun 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Meeting Attendees
Officer
Democratic Services Officer
Lee Ellis
In attendance
Officer
Payroll Manager
Jade Carter
In attendance
Officer
Health & Safety Manager
Chris Hopper
Health & Safety Manager
In attendance
Officer
Sophie Taylor
In attendance
Officer
Service Manager - Human Resources
Heleana Aylett
In attendance
Officer
Strategic Director of Corporate Resources (Section 151 Officer)
Alan Bethune
In attendance
Agenda
0
Apologies
1
Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 12 March and 18 May 2026 as a correct record.
Minutes
RESOLVED:
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March and 18 May 2026 were confirmed by the Chairman as correct record.
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 March and 18 May 2026 were confirmed by the Chairman as correct record.
2
Declarations of Interest
To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Minutes
There were no Declarations of Interest.
3
Public Participation
To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.
Minutes
There was no public participation.
4
HR Update
To receive an update on the progress of the HR Service.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Service Manager – Human Resources provided an overview of the work undertaken within the Human Resources service over and above the re-active casework.
RESOLVED:
That the report was noted.
RESOLVED:
That the report was noted.
5
Annual Review of Market Supplement Payments
To receive an update on the current position with market supplements across the Council.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Payroll Manager provided an overview of the outcome of the annual Market Supplement payments review for April 2026.
It was confirmed that the review had resulted in no changes to market supplement payments but highlighted the requirement for a more in-depth review to be undertaken this year.
A Committee member expressed that view that market supplements were an important tool to address anomalies within the labour force and aid recruitment and to encourage retention of staff, in posts considered to be hard to fill. It was also important that market supplements were reviewed regularly and applied correctly.
RESOLVED:
That the HR Committee noted the current position of market supplements across the Council.
It was confirmed that the review had resulted in no changes to market supplement payments but highlighted the requirement for a more in-depth review to be undertaken this year.
A Committee member expressed that view that market supplements were an important tool to address anomalies within the labour force and aid recruitment and to encourage retention of staff, in posts considered to be hard to fill. It was also important that market supplements were reviewed regularly and applied correctly.
RESOLVED:
That the HR Committee noted the current position of market supplements across the Council.
6
Probation Policy
To note the Probation Policy.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Senior HR Advisor provided an overview of the Probation Policy.
It was confirmed that amendments had been made to the Probation Policy due to the forthcoming Employment Rights Act. The amended policy would strengthen manager accountability and emphasise the need for supporting colleagues when they commenced their employment with the Council.
A Committee member felt the six-month probation period would put more pressure on managers to ensure that they engaged with new employees and that they were the right fit for the role, in a short timescale.
RESOLVED:
That the updated Probation Policy was noted.
It was confirmed that amendments had been made to the Probation Policy due to the forthcoming Employment Rights Act. The amended policy would strengthen manager accountability and emphasise the need for supporting colleagues when they commenced their employment with the Council.
A Committee member felt the six-month probation period would put more pressure on managers to ensure that they engaged with new employees and that they were the right fit for the role, in a short timescale.
RESOLVED:
That the updated Probation Policy was noted.
7
Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave Policy
To note the Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave Policy.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Service Manager – Human Resources provided an overview on the Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave Policy and confirmed that the policy was implemented as part of the Employment Rights Act.
RESOLVED:
That the Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave Policy was noted.
RESOLVED:
That the Bereaved Partners Paternity Leave Policy was noted.
8
Grievance Policy - April 2026
To note the Grievance Policy.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 2 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Service Manager – Human Resources provided an overview on the updated Grievance Policy.
RESOLVED:
That the updated Grievance Policy was noted.
RESOLVED:
That the updated Grievance Policy was noted.
9
Health and Wellbeing Attendance Management Report 2025 - 2026
To receive a summary of the Council’s sickness absence rate in the previous twelve months and actions taken to manage attendance.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Senior HR Advisor provided an overview of the Health and Wellbeing Attendance Management Report 2025 – 2026.
It was confirmed that the table at Paragraph 14 - Council’s 2025/26 Sickness Absence Data Inclusive of Leavers and the graph at Paragraph 15 – Percentage of Working Time Lost and were included in the report as previous reports had not included leavers data. The report included the two graphs for 2025 – 2026, whilst the reporting changed and future reports would include all data on one graph.
RESOLVED:
That the report was noted.
It was confirmed that the table at Paragraph 14 - Council’s 2025/26 Sickness Absence Data Inclusive of Leavers and the graph at Paragraph 15 – Percentage of Working Time Lost and were included in the report as previous reports had not included leavers data. The report included the two graphs for 2025 – 2026, whilst the reporting changed and future reports would include all data on one graph.
RESOLVED:
That the report was noted.
10
Corporate Health and Safety Quarter 4 Report
To receive the Corporate Health and Safety Quarter 4 Report.
Attachments:
- Document Report 03 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 03 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Corporate Health and Safety Manager provided an overview of the Corporate Health and Safety Quarter 4 Report.
The Chairman stated that they were pleased with the achievement of zero reported incidences of RIDDOR in Quarter 4 and that the number of accidents had reduced following the implementation of the new waste processes.
A Committee Member expressed concern that verbal abuse cases had risen, stating that they had recently witnessed an unacceptable incident where waste collectors had been verbally abused in Lymington. In response, it was confirmed that reports of verbal abuse to employees were possibly under reported and it would be beneficial to remind managers and employees that all incidents should be reported.
It was also highlighted by the Committee member that there were concerns regarding the process for reporting incidents. The Health and Safety Manager confirmed that it would be beneficial to review the current reporting process and how that process could be made easier to access for employees to report concerns. The outcome of the review would be reported to the next meeting of the HR Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the HR Committee:
a) Reviewed the work undertaken by the Health and Safety Team in the last quarter;
b) Acknowledge the implementation of a five-year Health and Safety Team Audit Framework; and
c) Reviewed the findings from the Quarter 4 accident/incident report.
The Chairman stated that they were pleased with the achievement of zero reported incidences of RIDDOR in Quarter 4 and that the number of accidents had reduced following the implementation of the new waste processes.
A Committee Member expressed concern that verbal abuse cases had risen, stating that they had recently witnessed an unacceptable incident where waste collectors had been verbally abused in Lymington. In response, it was confirmed that reports of verbal abuse to employees were possibly under reported and it would be beneficial to remind managers and employees that all incidents should be reported.
It was also highlighted by the Committee member that there were concerns regarding the process for reporting incidents. The Health and Safety Manager confirmed that it would be beneficial to review the current reporting process and how that process could be made easier to access for employees to report concerns. The outcome of the review would be reported to the next meeting of the HR Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the HR Committee:
a) Reviewed the work undertaken by the Health and Safety Team in the last quarter;
b) Acknowledge the implementation of a five-year Health and Safety Team Audit Framework; and
c) Reviewed the findings from the Quarter 4 accident/incident report.
Minutes
The Committee reviewed its future Work Programme.
RESOLVED:
That the Work Programme be approved.
RESOLVED:
That the Work Programme be approved.
12
Any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent
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