09 January 2024 – Minutes

THAME TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting held on 9 January 2024 at 3pm in the Upper Chamber, Thame Town Hall.

Present:

Town Mayor, Cllr A Dite
Deputy Mayor, Cllr A Gilbert
Chairman of Policy and Resources, Cllr M Dyer
Chairman of Planning & Environment, Cllr H Fickling
Chairman of Neighbourhood Plan Continuity Committee, Cllr C Jones

Officer:

M Sturdy (Town Clerk)

 

1 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Cowell (personnel).

 

2 Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

 

3 Public Participation and Public Questions

There were no applications to address the Committee.
There were no questions put to the Committee.

 

4 Minutes

The Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 2 October 2023 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chairman.

 

5 Exclusion of the Public

RESOLVED: That under Section 1, Paragraph 2 of The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

 

6 Long Service Awards

It was noted that later this year a member of the team will reach a significant work anniversary and as such will receive a Long Service Award.

 

7 Staffing Matters

The Clerk gave a general overview and update on staffing matters including:

Radon update; Access to the main basement is still being logged, the extractor fan and controls have now been replaced to improve the circulation of air at a cost of c£340; A new test kit has been ordered (£26.40) this will take readings for approximately 3 months, the results will confirm if the alterations have reduced the RADON readings to below 300Bq m-3 which is the level where action is required.

Incidents and Near Misses are being recorded and will be followed up as required.

Recruitment and Staff Changes are underway and include:

  • The Information Centre Officer (ICO) will be moving to become the Office Administrator and PA to the Mayor from April 2024, when the current post holder retires.
  • The closing date for applications for the Customer Services Officer role (replacement for ICO) is January 15;. Interviews are planned for week commencing January 22.
  • The Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice will be advertised before April 2024. Line management options were discussed for this position.
  • There will also be a maintenance apprentice position, which is currently being drawn up.
  • Once the budget is approved work will continue to recruit the Grants Officer / Fundraiser.

Staff Development – The RFO has now completed their Leadership Training and will present feedback at the next Personnel Committee meeting.

The Committee Services and Processes Officer is starting the second year of the Level 4 Community Governance qualification.

The second quarter staff appraisal reviews are due in January / February.

RESOLVED that:

  1. The committee NOTED the Report

 

The meeting concluded at 4.30pm.

 

 

Signed …………………………               Date: 8 April 2023

Chairman