SLCC NORTHUMBERLAND BRANCH.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2011
AT MORPETHTOWN HALL.
Present: G. Turner (Chairman; Morpeth TC), D. Carney (Secretary; Wylam PC), K. Cassie (Pegswood PC), L. Dodds (Longhorsley PC), S. Noddings (Blyth TC), D. Westwen (Blyth TC), J. Nicholson (West Bedlington TC), M. Anderton (Broomhaugh & Riding PC), S. Caskey & G Stewart (North Sunderland PC), M. Slaughter (Ashington TC), C. Bullock (Heddon PC), L. Currie (CAN), C. Hodgson (Seaton Valley TC), D. Earl (Newbiggin TC), J. Corrigan (Ferryhill TC & SLCC Regional Advisor).
1.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies had been received from M. Williams (Broomley & Stocksfield PC), P. Basnett (Treasurer; Netherwitton PC), D. Francis (NALC), D. Wright.
2.MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19thMAY 2011.
This meeting had been a Branch Conference organised by SLCC. The Secretary agreed to ask for feedback on the event from Richard Walden of SLCC. Some parish & town councillors had attended as well as Clerks, and there had been a good turnout from officers and members of Northumberland County Council in response to a nationally organised event. The timing of the conference meant that some local council clerks were unable to attend due to workload. It was agreed to hold a Branch Training Day in June next year. It was further agreed that Branch members would be invited to suggest topics of interest for the Training Day.
3.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. (G. Turner)
The Chairman reported that Mike Slaughter, Clerk to Ashington TC would be Branch NEC Representative from February 2012. She invited members to make nominations for the posts of Branch Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to be filled at the Branch AGM.
4.TREASURER’S REPORT. (P. Basnett)
Copies of P. Basnett’s Cash Book records were circulated to those present at the meeting. £120 had been spent on textbooks of interest to Clerks. These were being kept at the premises of Pegswood PC (01670 514299). A list of books available and details of borrowing procedures would be circulated and would also be posted on the Branch space of the SLCC web site. The Cash Book showed a healthy balance of £1,200. It was suggested that some of this could be used to pay for a visiting speaker for the next Training Day. Members were invited to submit ideas as to how the money should be used.
5.SECRETARY’S REPORT. (D. Carney)
D. Carney reported that SLCC felt that the Conference in May had been a great success. A lot of effort had gone into organising the speakers.
6.LIST OF LOCUM CLERKS.
It was agreed that a list would be compiled. Norman Dunn, formerly of NALC, had volunteered his services, having obtained the CiLCA qualification. Members were encouraged to submit further candidates’ names. It was agreed that this list would be placed on the Northumberland Branch space on the SLCC web site.
7.LIST OF INTERNAL AUDITORS.
It was agreed that a list would be compiled and placed on the Northumberland Branch space on the SLCC web site. Mike Slaughter agreed to be responsible for updating the Branch area of the SLCC web site. D. Carney agreed to forward him details of how to access the area.
8.INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
This had been suggested as a mechanism for handling complaints against Clerks. At present such complaints can be handled by SLCC Regional Advisors and the SLCC Legal Advisor. Gillian Turner, as County Support Officer, can offer advice initially. It was suggested that a mentoring group be set up on an area basis (North, SE, West Northumberland for example). J. Corrigan advised that Durham Branch has a group which meets every 2 months. He also advised that SLCC was looking for an Employment Support Officer for North East England. C. Hodgson expressed interest in this post and would contact SLCC. A mentoring group would be useful in the case of a Disciplinary Panel Hearing, where the Clerk needed someone to accompany them. J. Corrigan urged those present to make sure that their Council’s Disciplinary Procedure allowed for the bringing in of someone from outside the workplace. It was agreed that the setting up of Mentoring/ Employment Support would be included on the Agenda for the Branch AGM. It was noted that NALC has given help in such situations, but that there might be conflicts of interest. J. Corrigan again advised that mediators can be very helpful in such matters, but they must be trained.
9.CLERKS’ FORUM.
a.Accounts Package for Local Councils.
Louise Currie (CAN/NALC) advised that an accounts package (BOSS – Back Office Services Support) that can be adapted to any size of local council is being tested and will be rolled out as soon as possible. The cost of this is £30 - £40, with an additional £30 for larger councils.
b.Audit 2010/11.
Issues which had arisen were asset values. New councils had also had queries about asset variances, this being their first Annual Return. There was concern that councils were being asked to pay for queries which had resulted from BDO LLP’s changed advice.
10.MANAGING ALLOTMENTS. (Jamie Corrigan, Clerk to Ferryhill TC; SLCC Regional Advisor.
J. Corrigan delivered an excellent training session on this topic and answered questions from those present. A handout based on his Powerpoint presentation is available from the Branch Secretary.
11.DATE OF NEXT BRANCH MEETING.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th November 2011 at Wylam Institute (NE41 8AP) and will be the Annual General Meeting of the Branch. Branch Officers will be elected for a further year. Nominations for Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Branch Auditor should be forwarded to the Branch Secretary.