MenuMinutes of a meeting of Amble Town Council held on Thursday 26th January 2012 at 7.02pm (following the meeting of the Finance Committee) in the Council Office, The Quayside, Harbour Road, Amble.
1. PRESENT: Councillors Bilboe, Arckless, Hinson, Palin, Rev’d Nicholson, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Morrison and Mrs Dargue together with the Clerk, Miss Brown.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr Weir – Holiday proposed for acceptance by Cllr Mrs Lewis, seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed
3. ACCEPTANCE OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: (maximum 15 minutes) None.
5. Letter to Tesco: Cllr Mrs Lewis had prepared a letter to Tesco at the Chairman’s request, copy attached. The letter was proposed by Cllr Hinson with the amendment of greater dialogue with the Council and requesting a response within 28 days, this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed.
6. Review of Council Aims
After discussion, Cllr Hinson proposed taking as presented and moving the suggested amendments, this was seconded by Cllr Bilboe and agreed. Amended copy attached/available to view on the website.
Under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public will be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items on the Agenda due to sensitive nature. This was proposed by Cllr Bilboe, seconded by Cllr Hinson and agreed.
For the benefit of newer members Cllr Hinson explained that by going into private, even though no public were present, the minutes would still be protected.
PUBLIC. VERSION OF PRIVATE
7. Review of Council Services
It was agreed that all the listed items would be reviewed with the addition of a review of Grants criteria
7.1: Review of Job Descriptions to ensure all aspects of present work are covered:
Cemetery Superintendent – After discussion on the job description it was proposed by Cllr Arckless to remove ‘Cemetery’ and replace with ‘Cemeteries’ except on occasions relating to Interments. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Morrison and agreed. Cllr Mrs Lewis explained the need for 2 members of staff e.g. Health & Safety Legislation. Cllr Arckless queried how other local Cemeteries operate.
Following recent correspondence from the Superintendent, Operatives would be reminded that aspects they had raised, for example hand digging and work in the town itself were covered in the job description and contract which they had agreed. Cllr Palin suggested a further clarification clause under ‘Main Purpose’ to include ‘general jobs around the town’
Grounds man – As above
Minor changes would be made to the Job descriptions and the Clerk would seek advice regarding any possible further changes and types of contracts.
The Chairman called the meeting to a close with further business to be discussed at the next meeting which would take place on Thursday 16th February 2012 at the rising of the Cemeteries Management Committee
Playarea Employee
Town Clerk
Clerical Assistant
7.2: Proposed Review Items for future Agendas:
1. Specifics:
a) Accountancy including Salaries/ Gratuity-Pension
b) Assets and their Risk Management
c) Grave digging
d) Groundworks and Planting
e) Maintenance Tasks
f) Clock
g) Lightning Conductor
h) Shutters
i) Trees
j) Conservatio,n- stone, marble, gates etc.
k) Insurance
l) Health and Safety/ Risk Assessment
m) Personnel/ Training
n) Suppliers- e.g. Fuel; Equipment; Servicing; Personal Protective Clothing; Grass/ Soil/Pesticides etc.; Cleaning Materials; Admin. Items; Photocopier; Utilities
o) Grant Awarding Policy
2. Review of Employees and Salaries
3. Other Items
8. Date and time of next meeting – Thursday 16th February 2012 at the rising of the Cemeteries Management Committee. Approx. 7.15pm
The meeting closed at 8.20pm