Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton

Parish Council Office,

Winscombe Community Centre,

11 Sandford Road, Winscombe,

North Somerset BS25 1JA

Tel: 01934 844257   Fax: 01934 844292

A Meeting of the Employment & Policies Committee was held on Monday 7th December 2009 

2 pm at the Winscombe Community Centre, Amesbury Room

 

Members Present: Mr S Bridges (SB) Committee Chairman), Mr A Forbes (AF), Ms D Powell (DP), Mr C Sampson (CS),

Mr M Williamson (MW).                          Clerk: Mrs L Rampton (LR)                     Public: None

 

1

To receive Apologies for Absence – Miss B Roper (BR)

2

Declarations of interest. None

3

Minute Update from the Committee  meeting minutes dated 24th August 2009:

Min 4 7e – mechanical equipment duties & training for equipment at WMRG. SB is to compile a training plan with Dave Hucker and those authorised to use Parish Council mechanical equipment will be given further instruction (original training provided by equipment manufacturers).

4

Public Participation – none

5

To agree a procedure for dealing with notification of Complaints from the Standards Committee

The document circulated with agenda papers to the meeting was agreed with 2 amendments. Proposed by DP, seconded by MW, all in favour.

6

 

To review Parish Office Risk Assessment

The risk assessment for the previous period was reviewed and accepted to end 2010 with one amendment.

7

 

To prepare ‘Public Participation’ statement for circulation to Parishioners attending meetings (PC min 77)

In discussion it was considered that the Chairman to the Parish Council or Committee meeting advises members of public present at the relevant point in the meeting that this will be the only opportunity for the public to participate. It is also made clear on the agenda front sheet as to the limitations of this item. It was proposed by DP, seconded by AF, all in favour that a written statement is not placed on public chairs at meetings of the Parish Council or it’s Committees. It was further recommended that ‘public participation’ at meetings of the Council and it’s Committees be included as an agenda item for the January Parish Council meeting with consideration being given to setting a maximum time limit for participation by parishioners and/or speakers.

8

 

NALC Briefing Papers  These are detailed in ALCA newsletters & available to view in full on the ALCA website members section http://www.avonlca.org.uk Parish Councillors may contact the Clerk for password log-in details

a.)    2009/2010 National Final Salary Award for Local Council Clerks E13-09

b.)    Pay Settlement 2009 E12-09

The papers were noted by the Committee. It was proposed by CS, seconded by AF, all in favour that the national salary award for local council clerk’s recommended jointly by the National Association and the Society of Local Council Clerks applicable from 1st April 2009 be implemented and payment of this should be back-dated accordingly.

9

To formalise agreement for the locking of the WMRG Gates – terms and conditions of employment

Notices are in place advising that gates are to be locked each evening at 11pm. As recommended by the Parish Council at their meeting held 19th November 2009, terms of employment for a new employee were discussed and will be issued. Risk to the employee of ‘lone working’ was considered initially to be high but acceptable to the Council. As frequent users of the car park become used to the gates being locked, the risk will decrease. It was proposed by AF, seconded by MW, all in favour that the volunteer currently locking the gates be recruited on a temporary basis for an initial period of six months to lock and unlock the gates to the War Memorial Recreation Ground car park to coincide with days of work at his other employment. The employee should be contracted to work one hour per week and the hourly rate of pay should be equal to that paid to the WMRG Changing Room and Cemetery employees.

10

To agree Committee Precept Request 2010/2011

Provision was made within the precept request for an increase to hours worked by the Cemetery Orderly and possible revision to staff salaries to be agreed after annual appraisal.

11

Employment Practice - Hours of Work – office staff

A reduction in excess hours worked by the Clerk to the same period in 2008 has taken place due to measures taken by the Parish Council to reduce work loads to date. Topical issues such as Affordable Housing for the Parish are major contributors to the considerable number of excess hours still being worked but it was accepted that this and other factors are likely to continue for some time yet. It was proposed by CS, seconded by AF, all in favour that the Assistant Clerk is asked to work an additional six hours per week for a six month period with effect 1st February 2010 to assist in general office work.

12

Matters for Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting - none

 

Date of next meeting:              1st March 2010 at 2pm

Meeting Closed:                    3.45 pm.

 

Signed _____________________________ Employment & Policies Committee Chairman              Date      _____________