Agenda Item No

AGENDA ITEM NO

INFORMATION REPORT – NOT FOR DISCUSSION

REPORT TO: Corporate Governance and Policy Scrutiny Committee

REPORT OF: Head of Housing and Public Protection

REPORT NO: HHPP/100/11

DATE: 2 November 2011

CONTACT OFFICER: Toni Slater (Tel 315710) Sarah Grimley (Tel 297023)

SUBJECT: Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy

1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.1 To inform Members of the Draft Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy.

2. INFORMATION

2.1The Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy replaces the Alcohol and Drugs Policy which was originally adopted by the Council in 1998.

2.2The Council recognises that it has a duty under Health and Safety at Work legislation to provide a safe working environment to all employees. Alcohol and substance misuse has the potential to seriously affect the health, safety and well-being of employees in the workplace and may impact on those who use the Council’s services, and others who may be affected by our activities.

2.3The new Policy (Appendix 1) seeks to provide clear information to all employees on their responsibilities with regard to alcohol and substance misuse in the workplace and to provide guidance for Managers in supporting and managing employees with drug or alcohol related problems. It aims to clarify links to other policies and procedures and support mechanisms eg Managing Attendance, Health and Safety, Disciplinary, Capability and Occupational Health.

2.4Policy Implementation Timetable

Policy Scrutiny SMT Executive Status Training/ (Information Board Implementation ) Alcohol 2 November 9 29 Draft TBC and 2011 Novembe November Substance r 2011 2011 Misuse (tbc) Policy

2.5During the development of the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy key stakeholders have been consulted. These include external partners, Trade Unions, Human Resources, Senior Managers and employees. Two rounds of consultation have now taken place and a final Equality Impact Assessment has now been completed.

Human Resources Policy Linkages

2.6 Following consultation it was agreed that the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy should not create additional processes and that clear links should be made to existing Human Resources policies namely; Managing Attendance, Disciplinary and Capability Policies (already agreed).

2.7 Implementation of the Alcohol and Substance Misuse Policy will be supported by a formal launch on the Intranet and reference made within the Managing Attendance and Disciplinary/Capability training courses for Line Managers. Supporting documentation will be available electronically via the intranet. Copies will be made available in the Members’ Library.

2.8 This Policy will also contribute towards attainment of the Welsh Government's Corporate Health Standard Award, which is a Workplace Health target within the current Corporate Health and Safety Improvement Plan.