P21/001 PRESENT
Councillors Nicholson, Beswick, Coan, Dalzell, Forbes, Houghton, Lowe and Morris.
A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)
P21/002 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Gardiner (personal business)
P21/003 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
No member declared an interest in any item.
P21/004 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was RESOLVED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd March 2021
P21/005 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
The year-to-date income and expenditure was noted.
P21/006 VOLUNTEERING POLICY
It was RESOLVED to adopt the policy.
P21/007 RATIFICATION OF DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
It was RESOLVED to ratify the decisions to:
- Adopt a volunteering policy (as amended) and subject to a review after six months to ensure it does not increase the burden on officers.
- Create a voluntary role for an archivist as per report P-21-01
- Adopt a work experience placements policy statement as per report P-21-02
P21/008 COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE LEVEL 6 COURSE
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 Town Clerk left the meeting during part of the discussion of the item.
It was RESOLVED to approve the Town Clerk undertaking level 6 of the Community Governance course with the council contributing £5,000 of the cost and the Town Clerk funding the balance.
P21/009 REVIEW OF CEMETERY GROUNDSKEEPER HOURS
It was RESOLVED to increase the hours of the Cemetery Groundskeeper to an average of 32.5 hours per week.
Cllrs Houghton and Lowe voted against the resolution.
P21/010 SALARY INCREMENTAL PROGRESSION APRIL 2022
It was RESOLVED to approve the salary progression for staff as per section two of report P-21-07.
Cllrs Houghton and Lowe abstained from voting on the resolution.
The Town Clerk left the meeting.
The Town Clerk’s salary was reviewed by the committee and it was RESOLVED that in recognition of the investment in the Community Governance course, the Town Clerk’s salary remain unchanged and that it next be reviewed in two years.
The Town Clerk re-joined the meeting.
P21/011 STAFFING OVERVIEW REPORT
The Town Clerk provided an update on staffing matters referenced in the report.
P21/012 PERSONNEL MATTERS
The Chairman and Deputy Chairman stated they wished to offer welfare meetings to all staff; the Town Clerk undertook to offer the opportunity of an optional meeting to all staff.
P21/013 DRAFT COMMITTEE BUDGET 2022/23
It was RESOLVED to readmit the public and press.
The Town Clerk reported on the changes to the draft budget pursuant to resolutions made at the meeting. It was RESOLVED to approve the budget as drafted.
Cllrs Houghton and Lowe voted against the resolution.
P21/014 ACTIONS LOG
The log was noted.
P21/015 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting will be held on 23rd November 2021 at 7pm.