Issue - meetings

The Committee was informed that for a number of years in succession Surrey Heath House had closed the building to the public and staff had needed to take some leave to accommodate the closure. It was noted that, despite the closure of the offices, a number of services continued to operate and cover reflected business need.

Members considered a report setting out a number of options for the opening of Surrey Heath House during the period between Christmas and New Year 2021. Option 1 mirrored the arrangements from previous years, where staff would be asked to take a day as annual leave on 30December and one day extra day would be given on 31 December; the extra statutory day’s leave in Terms and Conditions taken on 29 December meant the offices would be shut between Christmas and New Year. 

The Committee was reminded that an additional day’s leave, to be taken on 24 December 2021, had been agreed as part of pay negotiations for 2021/22. Some Members reported that they had not been aware of the arrangements agreed in previous years when that decision on the Pay Award had been made. It was agreed to continue with the same arrangements and approve Option 1 for 2021/22, but ensure that the arrangements for the opening of Surrey Heath House between Christmas and New Year 2022, including whether to agree any additional leave over this period, were agreed in the first quarter of 2022/23.

RESOLVED that Option 1 for Christmas Closure 2021 be agreed, with staff being asked to take one day as annual leave and awarded one day extra day on 30and 31 December 2021.