2024 Staffing Committee Minutes

Draft Minutes of the Staffing Committee meeting of Heckington Parish Council held on Thursday 26 September 2024 at 7.00pm in the Parish Council Chambers, St Andrews Street, Heckington.

             1.            To resolve to appoint an Acting Chair

Councillor Stanley, proposed Councillor Garlick as Chair for the purposes of the Staffing Committee meeting on 26 September 2024.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Spencer and passed by resolution of the committee.

Councillor Garlick welcomed council members and members of the public to the meeting. 

He advised those present that the review of the grievance policy is the only agenda item that will be discussed in open session.  The committee will then, by resolution, move into closed session to discuss confidential staffing matters.

Councillor Garlick subsequently invited comment from members of the public.

               2.            Public Forum

Parishioners present.  No official count of the number of parishioners present.

Mrs Tucker stated that in December 2023, the Parish Council held a sum of £243k in the parish council bank accounts; £225k in January 2024, £207K in February 2024, £194k in March 2024 and £168k in April 2024.  She went on to say that the parish council unanimously voted to increase the precept in January 2024 but asked whether any of the councillors present had given any consideration as how and why these amounts had been accumulated and why the precept request was being increased leading to a rise in parish council tax bills. She also queried why certain sums were being ring-fenced and why salaries were being increased.  She said in January 2024, month 10 of the financial year, the accounts should, in theory, be depleted after ten months of running costs, but that figure was £225k.  She believes that it has come from inflated budgets and would like this to be explored.

Action:  The Acting Clerk will be tasked to investigate historical finances in due course and provide an explanation to the Council and Mrs Tucker in due course.

A parishioner said she was concerned to see that the parish council electricity and water bills were so high.  She went on to say that the electricity bill for the chambers, with limited occupancy is five times more, and the water bill, four times more than the price she pays for her services at home.  Councillor Garlick explained that the parish councillors are aware of this; it is something that is going to be looked at.  Councillor Stanley stated that an electrical inspection is required, and he referenced an issue with the Village Hall electricity supply which led to compensation.  The Acting Clerk informed the meeting that the current contract with EDF energy is due to come to an end in 2025; the Parish Council had signed a three-year agreement with EDF energy.

Action: Acting Clerk to explore an inspection of the electricity meters to ensure accurate reporting.

In response to questioning, the councillors and acting clerk confirmed that the parish council do not pay for the electricity supply at the Village Hall.

The same parishioner stated that she lives at the Fen and did not receive a copy of the poll leaflet. Councillor Garlick informed the meeting that instructions had been given to deliver to all areas of the parish

Action: Acting Clerk to liaise with the person appointed to deliver the leaflets.

          3.            Councillors Present

                         Councillor Garlick, Acting Chair

                         Councillor Bell

                         Councillor Garlick

                         Councillor Thorpe

                         Councillor Stanley

            4.            Apologies

                             None

             5.            Reports of member’s interest, pecuniary or otherwise in relation to the agenda and any dispensations in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

                None

6.            Grievance Policy

                Members confirmed that they had received and reviewed the grievance policy ahead of the meeting.  Councillor Bell proposed that the staffing committee adopt the grievance policy.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Spencer and passed by resolution of the                        committee.

7.            Date and Time of the Next Meeting

                To be confirmed

8.            Closed Session

                Councillor Stanley proposed that the meeting is moved into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss confidential staffing matters, the proposal was seconded by Councillor Spencer and the proposal was passed by resolution of the council.  Time 8.20pm.

Members discussed health and safety and risk assessment for employees along with appropriate training, staff roles and responsibilities, recruitment and employer’s responsibilities.

Members agreed to seek further advice from Chris Moses at Personnel Advice and Solutions Limited, further to a formal written request from the Clerk.  Members noted that expenditure of £200.00 had been previously agreed for this purpose and remains unused.

Members resolved to approve to extend the agreement with LALC for the continued provision of the locum clerk service.  Resolution to be ratified at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 30 September 2024.

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.24pm