On Thursday I represented the Liberal Democrat Group at the “Corporate Joint Consultative Committee” (JCC). This is a body which brings together the Trades Union represenatives of the staff who work for Bury MBC, with elected Councillors. Councillors are the legal “empoyers” of the many people who work for the Authority, so its an important opportunity to meet with their representatives.

Its the first year I’ve been on the JCC, so this was my first meeting.

The meeting looked at a new set of guidelines for disciplinary procedures, as well as receiving updates from Officers on the council budget, “single status” (a pay and job review process) and the potential outsourcing of “back office” functions to private companies.

The main disucssion was around the future of the JCC. There is a feeling by some people that the structures need modernising, the Unions however feel very strongly that the JCC provides the only opportunity they have to discuss directly with Councillors - their employers - and it should be kept. A small working group has been set up to look at this in more detail. Personally - and I will be asking fellow councillors and colleagues for their views - I feel that it is important for the staff representatives to meet from time to time with Councillors. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it??

tim