June 2025

Minutes of a meeting of the Personnel committee held on 11th June 2025, 1.30pm at The Heath: Village Hall & Library

Present: Cllrs Broad, Emes, Manders and Trought

In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles                                                                            No members of public were present.

1. To receive apologies and accept valid reasons for absence– It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Callan.

2. Declarations of interest

a. To receive members’ declarations of interest in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct – Nil

b. To receive and consider members’ requests for dispensations in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct and Standing Orders – Nil

3. To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting – 27th March 2025– It was RESOLVED: That the minutes be accepted and signed by the Chairman.

4. Items for the agenda of the next committee meeting – Items to be emailed to the clerk.

Items of a confidential nature to be debated in the absence of the press and public, under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (due to the confidential nature of business)

It was RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.

5. To consider the vacant post for Caretaker and Facilities Assistant

It was RESOLVED: That

• the vacant post be advertised with the agreed job description, person specification and application form for 2 weeks locally on noticeboards, social media and within council buildings.
• officers be authorised to carry out shortlisting and conduct interviews with the agreed interview schedule and questions.
• a further meeting of the committee is scheduled for early July.

6. To consider staffing matters

It was RESOLVED: That the clerk be authorised to offer flexible working arrangements and hours at her discretion in consultation with the chairman of the Personnel committee to support a staff member.

It was RESOLVED: That

• the Deputy Clerk is paid for additional hours worked as shown in the confidential report.
• the Deputy Clerk’s hours are increased to 23 per week on a temporary basis until the council has appointed at least one caretaker for 16 hours per week.
• the clerk is paid for unused annual leave – the amount to be agreed at the next meeting of the committee.
• officers are permitted to carry over unused annual leave in excess of the one week which is already permitted by the Council’s policy.

The committee asked officers to investigate whether an additional post was needed on a permanent basis to support office and booking processes and to explore options for cleaning at weekends.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 14.05

Signed_______________________________Chairman