P23/014 PRESENT
Councillors Dalzell, Gardiner, Forrest, McCulloch and Mears.
A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk) and Cllr Johnson
P23/015 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Banks and Coan (personal business)
P23/016 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
In the interests of openness and transparency, Cllr Forrest declared that a relative worked for the company which the council currently engages for HR support.
P23/017 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 7th June.
P23/018 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The year-to-date income and expenditure was noted.
P23/019 STAFF REPRESENTATIVE
The Planning and Facilities Officer spoke in support of the introduction of a Town Ranger apprenticeship, outlining that it was considered it would provide a number of benefits and was a positive thing to do and further spoke in relation to the employment support contract noting its value.
P23/020 TOWN RANGER APPRENTICESHIP
It was RESOLVED to introduce a full time Town Ranger apprenticeship as outlined in report P-23-02
P23/021 EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT CONTRACT
It was RESOLVED to renew the agreement with Peninsula on a five-year term, noting that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the committee would have access to the service.
P23/022 COMMITTEE BUDGET 2024/25
The Town Clerk presented an updated draft budget.
It was RESOLVED to approve the draft budget.
P23/023 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG
The log was noted.
P23/024 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 11th December 2023 at 7:30pm.
P23/025 ANNUAL SALARY PROGRESSION AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER HOURS
It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
It was RESOLVED to:
- approve the recommended salary progression with effect 1st April 2024 as outlined in report P-23-05 and noting that progression will be subject to meeting performance objectives at a review in March 2024
- approve an increase in the Communications Officer contracted hours to 21 per week with effect 1st April 2024
The arrangements for undertaking appraisals of the Town Clerk were discussed and it was agreed that a procedure which involved more members would be beneficial to provide continuity.
The Town Clerk left the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk progress to SCP 43 from 1st November 2023 subject to passing the Community Governance Degree and to SCP 44 from 1st April 2024 subject to a positive appraisal.
The Town Clerk re-joined the meeting.
P23/026 STAFFING OVERVIEW REPORT
The report was noted.
P23/027 PERSONNEL MATTERS
The Town Clerk reported on a personnel matter.
The Town Clerk was requested to prepare an updated appraisal procedure for undertaking appraisals for his position for consideration at the next meeting.