Agenda item

It was noted that whilst the Chief Executive and Cabinet Portfolio Holder were able to progress the items within this and the following matter (Minute CGR20/19 below) under their existing delegated powers, Members’ views and agreement to the proposals were sought. 

Members considered the report of the Interim Parish Council Administrator that provided further details of the timescale and relevant documentation to enable the recruitment process for the permanent clerk to commence prior to the Bexhill-on-Sea Parish Council (BPC) being in place; the budget recently set for the BPC included £1,300 for recruitment. 

It was proposed to advertise the post on the 19 April, with a closing date of 17 May, shortlisting on 21 May and interviews taking place on 1 June.  It was noted that an additional BPC meeting might be required to appoint the Clerk.  The first Annual Statutory Meeting would be held on Wednesday 19 May and the new BPC would need to agree an Appointment Panel (usually comprising of three councillors) to undertake the shortlisting and conduct the interviews.  It was anticipated that an opportunity for all Members of the BPC to meet the shortlisted candidates would be built into the programme. 

A copy of the draft advertisement was attached at Appendix A to the report and it was proposed to place it free of charge on the websites of SSALC [Sussex and Surrey Associations of Local Councils] and NALC [National Association of Local Councils] and on the SLCC [Society of Local Council Clerks] website at a cost.  There were three price bands bronze, silver and gold offering different levels of service and it was recommended and agreed that the silver level for four weeks would be appropriate for this exercise.  It was noted that Rother District Council would meet the initial costs and recoup from the BPC’s budget, once the precept was available.

Members requested that the job advertisement be amended to be more aspirational and appealing to potential candidates and a number of suggestions for improvements were noted.  Whilst Members hoped that the new Clerk would bring innovation, creativity and flair to the role, it was acknowledged that a qualified Clerk (or within 12 months of appointment) and/or someone with good knowledge of local authority workings would be critical and was required in any event to enable the BPC to spend funds that had been put into the budget.  Members were reminded that it would be for the BPC to appoint the Clerk and determine the appropriate candidates for interview when shortlisting, taking into account their various skill sets.    

A copy of a regular Job Description for a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer and Person Specification were attached at Appendices A and B respectively to the report.  It was noted that applicants would be required to complete a 5-page application form and no recruitment agencies would be used.

RESOLVED: That:

1)             the recruitment timetable as set out in the report be approved;

2)             the advertisement be amended as per the discussion;

3)             that the silver level of advertising be agreed for four weeks;

4)             the advertising costs incurred be paid by Rother District Council and recovered from the BPC’s budget; and

5)             the job description and Person Specification be agreed, as submitted.