Annual Report and Accounts 2016


John Lewis Partnership plc


79


In this section


Elections Committees Priorities


Following the March 2016 meeting, an online poll recorded that the key topic from the meeting was Partners affected by the productivity review.


Elections


New Council – New President The final meeting of the 2012-15 Council in March 2015 saw the handover from David Jones (President 2010-15) to Trevor Phillips. Not since 1928 has a non-Partner been elected to this position and the Council had unanimously agreed a change to the Constitution to make this possible.


Over the following two months, elections were held across the Partnership for the 2015-18 term. Constituency changes agreed by the Trustees of the Constitution included an increase in the number of Councillors representing Partnership Services as well as Waitrose and John Lewis head offices. Separate representation was also agreed for distinct operations such as Waitrose Welcome Break and Convenience/Shell, and continues for small, ‘one off’ units such Herbert Parkinson, Leckford and the Partnership Hotels. In order to maintain the size of the Council agreed by the Democracy Commission in 2009, a number of John Lewis constituencies were enlarged (from two to three branches), whilst in Waitrose four Operations Groups are now represented by one rather than two Councillors.


A total of 171 candidates stood for the 65 seats, with only four Councillors elected unopposed and some seats contested by up to nine candidates. These were the first Partnership Council elections to be held online, building on the success of the new system used for PartnerVoice, Forum and Divisional Council elections and following shortly after the second online Partner Survey. Mindful of the impracticality of campaigning in person across large constituency areas, all candidates were invited to submit short ‘hustings videos’ which were published on the intranet and linked to the election site.


Turnout in the elections varied considerably, including some branches with a 100% record, but the overall Partnership total of 52% was lower than in recent years and has inevitably prompted calls for further discussion and investigation into the sharing of best practice. It has also proved a timely reminder of the responsibilities borne by managers, in particular, but also all Partners, to ensure that everyone plays their part in ensuring the Partnership’s unique ownership structure is properly supported by its democratic vitality.


Around two-thirds of the Councillors are new to the role, with the proportion of managers continuing to rise.


Committees New Councillors – New Committees


At the Council’s first meeting in July 2015, chairs were elected for three of the Council’s Specialist Groups:


a Steering Committee – Christopher Wright a Partner Group – Claire Barry a Use of Profit Group – Tricia Kirk


Members of the groups were elected, again using an online system, over the following weeks and in September it was agreed that the Co-ownership Group’s name should revert to the Steering Committee, in line with the Divisional councils. The Partnership Council’s fourth committee is the Partnership Financial Assistance Committee, members of which are elected in a two-stage process from the Partnership Council and then the wider Partnership. From amongst their membership John Betts was elected chairman in October.


Steering Committee


Terms of Reference: To organise the work of the Council so that it can best fulfil its responsibilities as a governing authority of the Partnership. Ten members plus the Partners’ Counsellor. The President may also attend. In particular it:


aWorks with the Partners’ Counsellor to ensure that agendas are fully aligned with strategic priorities


a Coordinates the work of the other Specialist Groups


a Seeks to promote the Council as appropriate


The focus of the new committee has been on planning the most effective and efficient meetings, ensuring all Councillors are fully engaged in their new roles, making the best use of the technology available and able to prioritise time to enable proper preparation for meetings. The group have championed regular ‘linkage’ sessions at Council meetings, enabling updates both from other Specialist Groups and from Divisional councils and Group Forum. They are also examining the calendar of Council meetings, and in particular exploring whether this Annual Report and Accounts could form part of the meeting at which the Chairman is held to account for the Partnership’s full-year results.


On the Council’s behalf, and following the delegation agreed in October, the committee agreed a minor change to the Pension Scheme to remove an unintended disadvantage for Partners transferring from the Channel Isles to the mainland.


It’s Your Voice


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