Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 27 July 2011 at 5.30 pm

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on

Wednesday 27 July 2011 at 5.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor T J Johns (Town Mayor)

South Ward:

Councillor P J Pester

South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke OBE (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor M C Langmead

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor Mrs E A Brenton
Councillor P S Christie

024    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors A T Inch (South Ward – Work), S G Inch (South Ward – Holiday) and
R W Vanstone (East Ward – Holiday)

025    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

026    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 July 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0,  Abstention:  2)

027    RESIGNATION OF TOWN CLERK

The Town Clerk advised that at some stage the Committee will have to consider going in to Part II as there had been some developments since the agenda was issued but asked Members to consider and approve the content of the Advertisement, Job Description and Person Specification for the post of Town Clerk.

Proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council approves the content of the documents.

(Vote – For:  7,  Against:  0)

028    CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting.

(Vote – For:  7,  Against:  0)

The Town Clerk advised that he had been advised that any Councillors, who were not members of the Committee, should also leave the meeting as he was about to disclose a grievance relating to the Council.  Councillor Christie advised that elected Members were allowed to attend any meeting of the Council and requested that legal advice be sought regarding this matter.

The Chairman then brought the meeting to a close at 5.46 pm and the meeting would re-convene following the receipt of the legal advice.

PART II (Closed Session)

029    The Meeting re-convened at 5.30 pm on Monday 1 August 2011.  The following Councillors were in attendance:  Councillors S E L Clarke OBE (Chairman), Mrs P Davies, Mrs M P Fulford, T J Johns (Town Mayor), A T Inch, S G Inch (Deputy Town Mayor), M C Langmead (substitute for R W Vanstone - holiday), P J Pester and A T Powell

030    REVERT BACK TO OPEN SESSION

Following the advice of the District Solicitor it was agreed that the Committee move back in to open session.

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council reverts back to open session.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

031    RESIGNATION OF TOWN CLERK (CONTINUED)

The Town Clerk advised Members of his intention to resign and that his resignation included a grievance which he wished the Council to proceed with.  Legal advice had been received advising that the content of the grievance should not be disclosed until a formal hearing has been arranged.  The legal advice also suggested that the Council consider the hearing being carried out by an independent organisation.

The Town Clerk advised that an offer of help to provide assistance in the recruitment process had been received from Torridge District Council and was also seeking clarification on whether the Council wished to advertise locally or nationally.

RESOLVED:

(1)    That the Council formally and reluctantly accepts the resignation of the     Town Clerk.

(2)     That Torridge District Council be thanked for their offer of assistance in the recruitment process but the Committee felt they would like to do this by themselves.

(3)    That the advertisement be placed in the North Devon Journal, Western Morning News and Public Sector Website.

(4)    That the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman, Councillors Pester and Powell form the Interviewing and Selection Committee.

(5)    That Torridge District Council is requested to carry out the Grievance Hearing.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

The business of the Meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the Members for their attendance and the Meeting concluded at 5.55 pm.

Signature of Town Mayor:  ………………………………….  Date:  ……………………........

Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....