Agenda for this meeting

Present: Cllr. Mrs. E V Latchem

Mr. Provest drew the committee's attention to Item 5 on the agenda and wished to clarify one point that was not mentioned in the proposal from Council. He asked the committee to note that, although an assistant for the Clerk is primarily suggested to cover long-term illness, he felt that it was even more important to have a deputy if the Clerk was taken ill at short notice. The Council could miss an important legal deadline such as an audit date or meeting summons.

1. Minutes of a Personnel Committee meeting held on 8th December 2003

These minutes, which had been previously circulated, were taken as read agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

2. Correspondence

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

1. Draft Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees
2. Review of restrictions on the Political Activities of Local Council Employees

Cllr. Butt took the two rather large reports for perusal promising to report back at the next meeting - comments required by 19^th November 2004.

1. To consider proposal from Council re. cover for Clerk

A lengthy debate ensued, taking in the addition information suggested by Mr. Provest. Generally all members were in favour of some form of cover but could see a few problems, mainly as the parish office was in the home of the Clerk. It was also thought that cover could be most beneficial during sudden sickness periods, as it was possible to get a locum to cover holidays and long term sickness. Clerk asked members to bear in mind that any assistant working in the parish office, who would take over the Clerk's duties during his absence, would have to carry the title Deputy Parish Clerk. This would give the person the right to be the "proper officer" of the Council during the Clerk's absence.

Members felt that they would like further information before a recommendation could be put to the Finance Committee.

It was agreed, following a proposal from Cllr. Butt, to accept the reason put by the Internal Auditor and to ask the Clerk to produce a report for the next meeting. The report should contain a draft job description and personal specification for the post of Deputy Parish Clerk working initially for 3 hours a week.

2. Clerk's Salary Award for the years 2004/5 and 2005/6

The RFO's previously circulated report was received and it was agreed to follow the recommendation from NALC and SLCC and award the rise in full. The new rate backdated to 1^st April 2004 will be: -

2004/5 Scale LC2 SCP27 (2.75% rise)

1742 hours per year……………..£18,442.55 per annum

Supervision of Staff……………..£ 1,632.00 per annum

Magazine 128hrs………………..£ 1,355.14 per annum

Total…………………………….£21,429.69 per annum paid monthly at £1,785.81 per month

Over to page two …………………..

Minutes of a Personnel Committee meeting held on 6^th September 2004. Page two.

2005/6 Scale LC2 SCP27 (2.95% rise)

1742 hours per year……………..£18,986.06 per annum

Supervision of Staff……………..£ 1,680.00 per annum

Magazine 128 hrs……………….£ 1,395.07 per annum

Total…………………………….£22,061.13 per annum paid monthly at £1,838.42 per month

It was noted that the figure proposed for 2006/7 would be a rise of 2.95% or the RPI figure for October 2005 whichever in the greater.

RFO reported that the figure he used last November for estimates was 3.5% therefore the wages and Employer's NIC heads would easily cover this increase.

3. National Minimum Wage

The RFO asked members to note that from 1^st October 2004 the NMW will be £4.85 per hour for adults. He reported that the rise, which was expected, will not effect the staff wages head until January 2005 and would be paid then on just the one winter quarter this financial year.

4. Any other business being an exchange of information for noting or placing on a future agenda

The Clerk reported on the receipt of several e-mails concerning the election of two parish/town councillors to sit on the B&NES Standards Committee. Four nominations had been received by the Monitoring Officer and he had asked for the councils involved to ballot or otherwise the four to arrive at the two members. E-mails had been exchanged between the councils involved, including this one as Cllr. Butt had been put forward. Eventually with two standing down the two elected are Cllr. Brian Simmons from Keynsham TC and Cllr. Axel Palmer from Compton Martin PC. Noted.

The Clerk has received a report from NALC on the new Statutory Dismissal, Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (to be implemented on 1^st October 2004). The Clerk was asked to study the document and report back to this committee on the need or otherwise to amend his contract to fall in line with the new legislation.

Meeting closed at 9 p.m. - half the meeting was held in candlelight due to a power cut.

Signed …………………………………………… Chairman Date …………………………….