Minutes 26th June 2023
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting on Monday 26th June 2023
Attendees: Cllr Andy Hone (Chair), Cllr George McDonnell (Vice Chair), Cllr Richard Robinson, Cllr Martin Duff and Cllr Paul Browne
Public Attendance: 1 member of the public was present.
Absences: Cllr Nick Peplow
Meeting Commenced at 7:00pm
1. Apologies for Absence in accordance with Local Gov. Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given prior to
the meeting.
Apologies received and accepted from Cllr Nick Peplow.
2. To receive any declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any
written requests for dispensations for items on the agenda not previously recorded on
member’s register of interests
No declarations or dispensations.
3. Council to resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies
(Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to discuss the following confidential item:
Resolved - the member of the public left the meeting.
4. Acting Clerk / Interim Cover
To consider the actions to be taken to provide Clerk and RFO services to the council until a permanent solution can be found.
7.13 pm - Cllr Duff left the room to take a private phone call - meeting paused
7.15 pm - Cllr Duff returned to the meeting room - meeting resumed
It was discussed and agreed that in order for council business to continue an acting Clerk/ RFO should be put in place. It was proposed by Cllr Duff and seconded by Cllr McDonnell that Cllr Hone should carry out the role of acting Clerk / RFO in the short term. Cllr Hone stated that this arrangement would need to be of a very short term nature due to commitments in his personal life and this was acknowledged by the council.
It was discussed and agreed that during the search for a permanent Clerk/RFO, a temporary solution would be sought. Cllr Hone stated that he was aware that a previous interviewee for the Clerk/RFO role may be interested in taking on such a temporary role. It was proposed by Cllr Duff and seconded by Cllr Robinson that Cllr Hone should contact this individual to offer a temporary position with an undetermined duration. Whilst this individual has much experience in the role of Clerk, it was noted that this individual does not hold the full set of qualifications for the role and it would be our desire that a permanent Parish Clerk would be fully qualified.
Additionally it was proposed by Cllr McDonnell and seconded by Cllr Browne that Cllr Hone should contact a previous RFO to Nocton Parish Council to establish whether a temporary position would be of interest.
It was agreed before any contact was made that a better understanding of the working hours for each of the Clerk and RFO elements of the role would be established by Cllr Hone.
Meeting concluded at 7:41 pm