Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 8 February 2024 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby (Chairman)
Councillor D McGeough
South Ward:
Councillor S Inch
Councillor Ms R Clarke
Councillor P J Lawrence
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor J McKenzie (Mayor)
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
West Ward:
Councillor C Hawkins
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr P Swan (Town Clerk)
77. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor P S Christie (North Ward, personal)
78. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None.
79. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION OF 15 MINUTES DURATION
No Members of the public were present at the meeting.
80. MINUTES
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie and seconded by Councillor Inch , the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January (Staffing) 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 8, Abstention: 1)
81. CHAIRMAN’S ITEMS
The Members received the following information from the Clerk:
Mrs Val Morrish, our Beadle and Macebearer, has been invited to give a presentation at the Men’s Forum on 21st March in Northam on her role as Macebearer/Beadle to the Mayor of Bideford.
She has asked for permission to “borrow” the following items for the Presentation:
1 x Lesser Mace
1 x Ceremonial Mace
1 x Macebearer’s Robe
1 x Macebearer’s Tricorn
What she hopes to do for any future bookings is to take photographs of the maces and artefacts so that she can produce an electronic presentation.
No Objections were given and members expressed support.
82. ACCOUNTS
a) Members received the list of payments.
Councillor Hellyer requested that an alternative quotation was obtained for the installation of the Christmas Illuminations, which the Clerk confirm he would do.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Inch and
RESOLVED: That the draft list of payments is approved.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
b) Members received the Internal Auditors Report
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Inch and
RESOLVED: That the auditor’s report is approved.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
c) Members received the Risk Management Policy
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Clarke and
RESOLVED: That the Risk Management Policy is approved and adopted.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
d) Members received the Equality Policy
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Clarke and
RESOLVED: That the draft Equality Policy is approved and adopted.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
83. Details supporting a request the for the Clerk, to be authorised, to purchase a single cab, low mileage, tipper truck.
RESOLVED: That the purchase, in the region of £25k is approved as a budgeted FY24/5 expense.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
84. Members received a quotation from a local supplier for the replacement of the Ferris Mower.
The Clerk displayed an alternative national supplier which was a very comparative amount.
Councillor Bushby requested a spare belt and 2 off oil filters be ordered at the same time.
Proposed by Councillor McGough, seconded by Councillor Bushby and
RESOLVED: That the local supplier quotation be approved as budgeted FY24/5.
(Vote – For: 9, Against: 0)
85. MAINTENANCE OPERATIVES
Members received an update on the tasks undertaken by the Maintenance Operatives.
86. PART II CLOSED SESSION
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Mc Kenzie and
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, the meeting moves into part II and any members of the public and press be removed.
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
87. STAFFING MATTERS
a) Members considered whether to agree to the Beadle Recruitment and Honorarium level.
Discussion took place about the level of the honorarium and need for a staggered increment over the coming years.
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellyer and
RESOLVED: That in the recruitment of a new Beadle be commenced at the revised rates.
(Vote For: 9, Against: 0)
b) Members considered the renumeration review, staff appraisal as recommended by the Town Clerk.
Discussion took place on the SCP level and the importance of ensuring the Councils remuneration package is sufficient to retain and attract high calibre employees.
Proposed by Councillor McGough, seconded by Councillor Mrs Hellyer and
RESOLVED: That the revised pay scale be adopted.
(Vote For: 7 , Abstention: 2)
c) Members considered the proposed staffing structure and renumeration review as recommended by the Town Clerk.
Proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor McKenzie and
RESOLVED: To adopt the revised reporting structure and pay scales.
(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 7:10 pm.
