P22/007 PRESENT
Councillors Nicholson, Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner and Houghton.
A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
P22/008 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All members were present.
P22/009 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
No member declared an interest in any item.
P22/010 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20th June.
P22/011 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The committee income and expenditure year to date was noted.
P22/012 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 13th September 2022 at 7pm.
P22/013 STATEMENTS FROM STAFF
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.
The Planning and Facilities Officer, Administration and Support Officer (PT), Town Centre and Marketing Officer, Civic Events Officer, Administration and Support Officer (FT), Events Officer and Town Clerk made statements with respect staff morale, the staffing review and the council’s terms of employment after which all officers except the Town Clerk left the meeting.
The committee noted the courage displayed by staff in making their statements and expressed its admiration for their doing so.
P22/014 STAFF MORALE
The June staff morale survey results were noted.
P22/015 STAFFING REVIEW REPORT
It was requested that all votes under this item be recorded.
The meeting was adjourned for a recess at 20:41 and reconvened at 20:50.
It was RESOLVED to establish a staff liaison group as outlined in the report with the detailed logistics of the group to be determined in due course by the committee.
For Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner, Houghton and Nicholson
Against none
Abstention none
It was RESOLVED to recommend that the appropriate committee urgently considers the provision of mobile phones to all staff regularly working away from the office and consider the provision of appropriate portable IT equipment.
For Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner, Houghton and Nicholson
Against none
Abstention none
It was RESOLVED to recommend that the appropriate committee urgently facilitates a new multi-line VOIP phone system within the next two months.
For Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner, Houghton and Nicholson
Against none
Abstention none
It was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk prepare a report on how the council could achieve Investors in People accreditation.
For Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner, Houghton and Nicholson
Against none
Abstention none
It was RESOLVED to reinstate the application of the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (the Green Book) to staff contracts with effect 20th June 2022.
For Cllrs Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner and Houghton
Against Cllr Coan
Abstention Cllrs Beswick and Nicholson
It was RESOLVED that in view of the representations made by staff the Town Clerk shall conduct an urgent review for all staff to resolve to the satisfaction of the committee the correct grading for roles with speed and without delay.
For Cllrs Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Gardiner, Houghton and Nicholson
Against none
Abstention none
The Town Clerk outlined additional proposed measures in respect of improving the member/officer relationship which were noted.
P22/016 COMPLETION OF ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT OFFICER PROBATION PERIOD
It was RESOLVED to end the probation period of the Administration and Support Officer (FT) and confirm them in post.
P22/017 MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE
It was RESOLVED that, subject to a request being made, the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, be authorised to approve one week paid special leave for the Planning and Facilities Officer.
P22/018 STAFFING OVERVIEW REPORT
The report was noted.
P22/019 PERSONNEL MATTERS
The Town Clerk advised the committee on a matter and advised he would report to the next meeting with further information.