Issue - meetings

Rich Thomas, Strategy and Commissioning Manager (HROD),presented the report. These items were initially considered at the December 2019 meeting. Recommendations were approved for employees of Warwickshire County Council who are military reservists resulting in development of a new policy. The final matter that required approval was in relation to contracts of employment for mobilised military reservists being operable throughout a period of mobilisation.

The report presented in December 2019 also provided support to these employees who wished to become foster carers. Approval was now sought to provide foster carers with an additional five days of paid leave in each year for the purposes of undertaking learning, development or preparation for the placement of a child or young person.

Councillor Bob Stevens stated that this report is part of the military services covenant that the council had signed up to. He praised the armed forces for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Resolved

That the Staff and Pensions Committee:

1. Approved the Council and will treat the contracts of employment of employees mobilised for Reserve Service as operable throughout the period of mobilisation so that there will be no adverse effect on entitlements calculated in accordance with length of service.   

2. Approved the proposal for up to 5 days additional paid leave per annum (pro rata for part time staff) for employees who are approved foster carers in the years following approval as a foster carer for the purposes of undertaking learning, development or preparation for the placement of a child or young person.