Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Parish Council Office,
Winscombe Community Centre,
11 Sandford Road, Winscombe,
North Somerset BS25 1JA
Tel: 01934 844257 Fax: 01934 844292
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A Meeting of the Employment & Policies Committee was held on Monday 12th April 2010
2 pm at the Winscombe Community Centre, Mawson 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). Public: Two Press: None
Clerk: Mrs L Rampton (LR) Assistant Clerk: Mrs N Flint (NF)
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To receive Apologies for Absence – Miss B Roper (BR)
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Declarations of interest. None
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Minute Update from the Committee meeting minutes dated 7th December 2009: Min 3 – mechanical equipment duties & training for equipment at WMRG. SB is to ensure a training plan is compiled by Dave Hucker and the WMRG Orderly and those authorised to use Parish Council mechanical equipment will be given further instruction (original training provided by equipment manufacturers).
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Public Participation – none
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In accordance with Parish Council Standing Order 24 a resolution was proposed that in view of the special and confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable that in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw from the meeting. The reason for the exclusion is to allow consideration of a request for information regarding the early stages of a dispute and potential preparation of a case in legal proceedings and to allow consideration to be given to the engagement and terms of service of Parish Council employees. Proposed: CS, Seconded: AF All members present were in favour.
Members of the public and Mr Williamson left the meeting . |
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To consider a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 A request has been received for copies of any formal advice the Parish Council has received and supporting enquiries and information that were sent from the Parish Council to whoever provided the advice. The request is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Confidential legal advice has been provided to, and accepted by the Parish Council and the request for information should be refused as an exemption from the right to know information protected by legal professional privilege (section 42 of the FOI Act 2000 covering communications between lawyers and their clients for the purpose of obtaining legal advice). Proposed: SB, Seconded: CS All in favour
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Employment Practice The Clerk left the meeting. a.) Report on Annual Staff Appraisals and to consider recommendations to improve staff working conditions. Annual staff appraisals have now been completed. The Clerk, over the past few months, has been inundated with excessive e-mails which has resulted in a back log of work. In the circumstances it was agreed to reinforce the Stress Policy and the Anti-bullying and Harassment Policy of Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council. The following resolution was passed: If any employee of the council should receive through the Winscombe & Sandford email addresses, any email which may be a breach of the above policies, such emails should immediately be transferred to a holding file. The email will then be dealt with, as considered appropriate, by the Chairman of the Council. Proposed: DP Seconded: AF All in favour
b.) To consider temporary status of WMRG Gate Orderly position and possible extension of contract The contract of the WMRG Gate Orderly is up for review end of May 2010 and it was agreed that this should be extended for a further 12months for the period 1/6/10 – 31/5/11. Proposed: AF Seconded: CS All in favour
c.) To recommend salaries with effect 01.04.10 For the financial year 2010/11 the following rates of pay will apply: Parish Clerk: In accordance with 2009/10 salary scale, as recommended by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services dated September 2009, an incremental rise to the Clerk’s salary should be made from spinal column 37 to spinal column point 38 with effect from 1st April 2010. It was also agreed that any adjustments relating to the financial year 2009/10, as a result of the revised rates of pay, should be backdated with effect from 1/4/09. Parish Council Orderlies: Hourly rates of pay were individually discussed and recommendations, to take effect from 1/4/10, made to the Parish Council. All rates of pay are detailed in a confidential annex 1 to these minutes. Proposed: CS Seconded: SB All in favour
d.) Payment of Pension Provision Further enquiries are to be made regarding pension provision as detailed in confidential annex 1 to these minutes.
e.) Hours of Work – office staff Committee members were handed a breakdown of the Clerk’s hours for the financial years 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10.. It was agreed to pay the Clerk the precepting provision for overtime in the2009/10 financial year budget - refer confidential annex 1 to these minutes. The Finance Assistant is also to look into a computerised accounts package which will be discussed at the next meeting. Proposed: AF Seconded: DP All in favour
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The meeting was re-opened to members of the public and press although none returned to the meeting.
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Matters for Information – either points of information or subjects for discussion at next meeting – Computerised Accounts Packages Pensions
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Date of next meeting: 28th June 2010 at 2pm |
Meeting Closed: 3.22 pm.
Signed _____________________________ Employment & Policies Committee Chairman
Date _____________