Item No Description Action Status 1. Apologies for Absence 1.1 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fazlul Haque.

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1 Minutes of a meeting of Tower Hamlets Homes Organisational Development Committee Held on Tuesday 21 July 2009 from pm in Collingwood Hall, Collingwood Street, London E1 Members Present: Sheila Beeton (Chair) - Leaseholder Representative Ian Fincher - Tenant Representative Officers Present: Gavin Cansfield - Chief Executive (CE) Jamie Carswell - Director, Strategy & Performance () Paul Rouhan - Learning and Development Manager, LBTH/THH Karen Scott - HR Manager, LBTH / THH Sesi Afewu - Committee Officer - Item No Description Action Status 1. Apologies for Absence 1.1 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fazlul Haque. 2. Declarations of Interest 2.1 Sheila Beeton and Ian Fincher declared personal interests in so far as they were a leaseholder and a tenant respectively, of properties managed by Tower Hamlets Homes (THH). 3. Minutes of the ODC meeting held on 20 January The Minutes of the Organisational Development Committee meeting held on 19 May 2009 were agreed as accurate and signed by the Chair. 4. Matters Arising from the Minutes 4.1 Minute Legal requirements. A summary of the main areas of legal/statutory obligations (tabled) were noted Minute Health & Safety progress report. It was noted the progress report would be brought to the November ODC. Members noted that as the Board had the duty of care for health and safety (H&S) issues regular reports should be provided to the Board. It was agreed an H&S report be provided to September Board. Minute Asbestos communications. The Nov ODC Sep Board 125

Chief Executive (CE) Jamie Carswell - Director, Strategy & Performance () Paul Rouhan - Learning and Development Manager, LBTH/THH Karen Scott - HR Manager, LBTH / THH Sesi Afewu - Committee Officer

2 Committee reviewed a draft guide to asbestos in the home (tabled). It commented that although the leaflet contained useful information it was unlikely to be read by tenants due to its length. It was agreed that the communication should be short and succinct. 5. Homes and Communities Agency 5.1 The CE briefed the Committee on a recent communication from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) regarding its decision not to provide Decent Homes funding for the period 2010/11, to ALMOs that were yet to get two stars. It was noted that there had already been discussions with the Chair of the HCA, with the Mayor s housing advisor and the Boards views would be sought in due course. The way forward would also be discussed with the National Federation of ALMOs. 6. ODC Terms of Reference 6.1 The Terms of Reference final draft was noted Transformational Architecture and People Strategy Action Plan ODC received a report setting out detailed information on the early development of moving towards a segmented people offer, with a transformational architecture aligned to the People Strategy objectives, and the People Strategy Action Plan. The Committee noted the positive staff developments to date and the next steps required to facilitate delivery of THH organisational objectives. It discussed the best approach to staff programmes and the pros and cons of having these organised internally as opposed to using the skill support and mentoring toolkit from external agencies. The Committee agreed a mix of both would be the best way forward. It also considered how this programme should be publicised in the organisation and stressed the importance of opening up a dialogue with staff The Committee were impressed with the work that had been done. Members expressed an interest in attending a future staff session and viewing recordings of conversations Next staff session 126

1 The CE briefed the Committee on a recent communication from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) regarding its decision not to provide Decent Homes funding for the period 2010/11, to ALMOs that

3 in the round. 7.5 Action: An update on progress with this work would be brought to ODC in due course. Jan Draft Staff Code of Conduct 8.1 The Committee reviewed a draft Staff Code of Conduct in detail. It requested additional information be incorporated in the report including a section on Information Technology with reference to the Data Protection Act and the confidentiality requirements. It also asked that the use of staff identification badges be addressed in the dress code section. 8.2 It was noted that the document incorporating ODC comments would be presented to the Trade Union Forum and the final version would be brought to September or November ODC. 8.3 Action: Staff Code of Conduct final draft to be brought to September or November ODC. Sep/Nov ODC 9. Diversity Working Group, Equalities Framework and Workforce Diversity Issues. 9.1 The Committee received a report updating on the establishment of the Diversity Working Group (DWG) and on THH s commitment to reach Level 2 of the Equality Framework. It also provided information on areas covered by the fifth block- Modern and Diverse Workforce. 9.2 The discussion concentrated on corporate requirements, the inspection feedback on diversity and the importance of embedding these in the organisation promptly, the work of the DWG to date and the next steps required. It was agreed that ODC needed to see a more focused document outlining the organisational targets in the form of a development plan. In the context of this discussion members brought up the importance of providing appropriate training on this issue to Board Members. 9.3 Members also thought it would be useful to obtain information from other comparable organisations such as PCTs. 9.4 Action: (i) Development plan setting out THH targets would be brought to the September ODC. (ii) Appropriate steps to be taken to arrange 127

It requested additional information be incorporated in the report including a section on Information Technology with reference to the Data Protection Act and the confidentiality requirements.

4 diversity training for Board Members (iii) Diversity data break down for Tower Hamlets PCT to be provided to the next ODC Sep Human Resources SLA Review. The CE stated that in response to a discussion with the Chair of ODC the HR SLA Review report was being withdrawn and that principles regarding SLAs were to be discussed in its place. The discussion focused on the principles concerning SLAs, and how work around SLAs should be progressed. ODC noted there was recognition at the Council that THH might want to separate its HR Service as a natural part of its development as an organisation. It also recognised that it might not be appropriate to involve the full Board in the detail of the review process and that this might be more appropriately undertaken by the Chair s committee, with its recommendations subsequently presented to the Board. It was agreed that: the principles around SLAs would be discussed at the next Chair s Forum and appropriate recommendations made to the Board; CE/ Next Chair s Forum that benchmarking would be carried out to assess the comparative costs of the current HR service and its strengths and weaknesses; By Sep ODC that THH requirements for HR provision be determined and assessed against both existing provision and alternative options, with recommendations to ODC also taking account of any TUPE transfer implications. Recommendations would be provided to the September ODC having regard to advice from the Chair s Committee regarding general principles Action: The principles around SLAs and the recommendations concerning HR SLA to be brought to September ODC The Chair requested that in future any items on complex organisational issues be discussed with her before the agenda was finalised. / Till Mar

The discussion focused on the principles concerning SLAs, and how work around SLAs should be progressed.

5 11. ODC Forward Plan September 2009 o Workforce Development Plan o Performance Report o HR SLA Report 12. Date, Time and venue of next meeting Tuesday, 15 September 2009 from 6:30 pm at Limehouse Project. The Chair thanked all present for their attendance and contributions and closed the meeting at 8.10pm. Sheila Beeton Chair Date 129

Date, Time and venue of next meeting Tuesday, 15 September 2009 from 6:30 pm at

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