The General Purposes Committee of Croydon Council met on 10 June 2024, approving changes to the Council's Constitution regarding staff employment procedures and noting the Council's use of surveillance powers. The committee also reviewed political balance and made appointments to the General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee.

Use of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and Investigatory Powers Act 2016

The committee noted the Council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Howard Passman, the Information Management and Governance Coordinator, presented the annual report, explaining that the use of these powers had decreased due to increased data sharing between public authorities and the adoption of less intrusive investigation methods. He confirmed that the Council's approach was similar to other London boroughs and that the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) conducted inspections every three years. The report also highlighted the Council's Covert Activities Policy, which outlines the procedures for authorising and conducting surveillance.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution - Staff Employment Procedure Rules

The committee reviewed and recommended for approval significant changes to the Council's Staff Employment Procedure Rules. Gillian Bevan, Head of Human Resources - Business Partnering, explained that these amendments aimed to embed lessons learned from recent employment tribunal proceedings and practical application, thereby enhancing governance and clarifying procedures for senior staffing matters. Key changes included updating and correcting drafting errors, reflecting the established practice of the Appointments and Disciplinary Committee (ADC) making appointment decisions at Director level and above, and clarifying officer delegation arrangements for interim or fixed-term appointments. The proposed changes also formalised appeal rights for senior officers and clarified rules on suspension. The committee noted that these changes would consolidate all staffing matters under the ADC's purview and that an annual report on the operation of these rules would be presented to the ADC.

General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee - Political Balance Review and Appointments

The committee reviewed the political balance and made appointments to the General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee. The report, presented by Stephen Lawrence-Orumwense, Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, and Adrian May, Interim Head of Democratic Services, detailed the allocation of seats based on the political composition of the Council. Following the review, the Conservative and Labour groups were allocated two seats each on the sub-committee. The following members and substitutes were appointed:

• Members: Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Councillor Appu Srinivasan, Councillor Samir Dwesar, Councillor Lara Fish.
• Substitutes: Councillor Joseph Lee, Councillor Andrew Price, Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice, Councillor Stella Nabukeera.

The committee also noted that the sub-committee would appoint its own Chair and Deputy-Chair at its first meeting.

Urgent Business - Elections Update

The Chair provided an update on urgent matters concerning the oversight of elections. He reported that a working party had been reviewing electoral processes with support from Sutton Council's Electoral Services Officers. Key updates included the timely publication of the notice of election, the use of designated polling stations with one exception, and ongoing recruitment and training for polling station staff. The dispatch of postal vote cards and nominations were also progressing as planned. The election count would take place at the Barnhouse, a centrally located venue, rather than Trinity School. Councillor Alasdair Stewart raised a concern about a recent inaccurate email regarding proxy vote deadlines, urging greater vigilance in future electoral communications. The Chair agreed with the importance of accuracy in such communications and stated that the committee would reserve final judgment on the election process until after its conclusion on 5 July.

The meeting concluded with the committee resolving to note the update on elections and to urge the Council to exercise extra vigilance regarding dates and times in communications with voters.