Matters arising from minutes of last meeting
Equality Audit
Arising from the concern expressed at the previous meeting about the non-union nomination to the Equality Audit Steering Committee Committee, the Chairperson has since clarified confirmed that it is the views of the Partnership Committee being represented.

Nomination has subsequently been confirmed in writing to the Equality Audit Steering Committee.

Pensioners
Ms Cecily Corrigan, Personnel, has confirmed the areas to be addressed in the Pensioners Package.

It was queried whether there had been any further developments regarding Pensioners cheques being placed in envelopes.  Ms Cecily Corrigan, Personnel is looking into the issue.

Skillsnet
Copies of the Skillsnet Brochure were circulated to the Committee.

The proposals are going to the Governing Authority in June.  The question was asked why the Partnership Committee is only being consulted now, when the purpose of the Committee is to communicate the views of staff.   It was confirmed that the views of the Partnership Committee will be presented at the Governing Authority meeting.  Mr Dermot McKeon (Chairperson, Grounds Committee)  invited a member of the Partnership Committee to attend meetings of the Grounds Committee.  The role will be limited to observer status.

The view was expressed that free parking is a condition of employment and with clamping in operation this will result in a reduction in wages and hence dissatisfied employees.  It was proposed that paid parking apply to staff who join after July 2004.  It was stated that there has never been an obligation on the University to provide free parking.  Prior to this it has only been a perk for employees.

A concern was expressed that the proposed system does not seem different to the existing sticker system except that people are paying for it.  It was explained that this proposal was designed to tackle the Park and Ride problem, if it exists.  Those who would be parking and riding would be leaving their cars here at seven o’clock in the morning.  At this time there will be no facility to purchase a disk.  Hence after eight o’clock they will be clamped, which will discourage them from parking and riding in the future.

It was suggested that the mobile units (Buildings and Services) could be moving throughout the University telling drivers where the nearest available car parking space is.  In response, it was explained that the purpose of the mobile units is to secure cars.  It would be difficult to manage the service level expectations that the previous suggestion would create.  Services put up signs telling people that if a certain car park is full then the driver should go to Car Park X.

A concern was expressed that the nominal charge could be linked to rates and hence take a significant increase in the next year or two.  It is expected that the rate set, should take this issue into account.

At this point, the Partnership Committee need to decide whether or not they agree with the proposals being presented to the Governing Authority in June, and to nominate a representative to sit on the Grounds Committee, as an observer.

It was decided that the members of the Committee will inform staff that proposals for paid parking are being put to the Governing Authority in June.  In the main there was dissatisfaction expressed with the proposal.  It was stated that paying for a disk will not create parking spaces.  
It was suggested that by paying for a service a better level of service should be expected.  

It was noted that the current barrier system means drivers cannot move to where there are car parking spaces available.   The Chairperson summarised the Committee's opinions as disagreeing with the proposed system, but the fact remains that the current system is not adequate either.  It has always been said that park and ride is not a significant problem in UCD.  Therefore, if it is only occurring to a minor level then these proposals will not resolve the parking issue.

The Chairperson was nominated as the person to attend the Grounds Committee meetings.

AOB
Sustaining Progress and Benchmarking
The Committee were advised of the important role they have to play in the current agreement.  In return for the pay awards certain concessions are expected.  One of these is agreement to a performance management process.  The Committee will have a role in devising this system.  It was explained that the first 25% of the award will be given with no concessions required.  However, the following 50% of the award, due to be paid in January, will only be paid if proposals, including performance management, are agreed by the Committee in November

University Committees
It was proposed that representatives from the Partnership Committee should sit on more committees within the University.  This may resolve the issue of not being consulted.  It was queried whether UCD employees are aware of the existence of the Partnership Committee.

Skillsnet
It was reiterated that the second Skillsnet phase is radically different from the last phase.  There is a greater emphasis on information sharing and training tailored to the needs of the members.

Correspondence
It was requested that the Committee be shown all correspondence generated from this meeting prior to its distribution.