Human Resources Committee
Meeting Summary
Meeting Agenda
1. Apologies for Absence
To receive apologies for absence and note apologies not received
2. Declarations of Interest
Pecuniary Interests: To receive Declarations of Pecuniary Interests as declared on the Register of Interests.
Non-registerable Interests: To receive Declarations of Non-registerable Interests.
Dispensations: The Clerk will consider and report on any requests for dispensation in line with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
Gifts & Hospitality: To declare any gifts or hospitality in line with the Council’s Code of Conduct
3. Public Participation[1]
To hear from members of the public who wish to make representations, answer questions and give evidence in respect of the business on the agenda. A question shall not require a response at the meeting nor start a debate on the question. The chairman of the meeting may direct that a written or oral response be given.
4. Committee Meeting Minutes
To receive and resolve to adopt the minutes of the Human Resources committee meeting held on Monday 26th January 2026 to allow the presiding Chairman to duly sign.
5. Clerk’s Report
To receive a verbal report from the Clerk on any matters arising from previous minutes, meetings attended by officers and future dates for the diary. For information only.
6. Parish Councillor’s Reports
To include an update on any meetings attended by Members as representatives of the Parish Council and future dates for the diary. For information only.
7. Employment Policy & Procedure Review
To review the following policies and procedures and resolve recommendations to Full Council –
Dignity at Work
8. Health & Safety (H&S)
To receive the report following the annual visit from Peninsula and to resolve any action required.
To receive quotations for an asbestos survey to be carried out and to resolve any action required.
9. Civility & Respect Governance Checklist
To receive the checklist and resolve any action required.
10. Confidential Matter(s)
To resolve that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public and representatives of the press and broadcast media be excluded from the meeting, and that the live streaming and any recording cease, during the consideration of the following item(s) of business as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted –
Staffing Matters
[1] Standing Order 3f: Total time allowed will be 15 minutes (limit of 5 minutes per person) which may be varied at the discretion of the Chairman.
Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council Human Resources Committee held in the Brannel Room, St Stephen
on Wednesday 29th April 2026 starting at 16.00pm.
Present:
Cllr Julie Broad (Vice Chairman), Cllr Debby Hussey, Cllr Shelagh Tasker, and Cllr Keith Truscott (Chairman).
In attendance:
Linda Ranger – Clerk & RFO.
Cllr Keith Truscott welcomed everyone to the meeting. He ran through housekeeping procedures and advised everyone present that if they intended to participate in the meeting, they could be recorded, photographed, filmed, or otherwise reported about.
HR11/26 Apologies for Absence:
It was
RESOLVED to note apologies from Cllr Anne Hartshorne.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Borad. All voted in favour.
HR12/26 Declarations of Interest:
- There were no declarations of pecuniary interests.
- There were no declarations of non-registerable interests.
- There were no dispensation requests.
- There were no declarations of gifts or hospitality.
HR13/26 Public Participation:
None present and no questions received.
HR14/26 Previous Committee Meeting Minutes:
It was
RESOLVED to adopt the minutes of the HR committee meeting held on Monday 26th January 2026 as a true and accurate record.
Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Shelagh Tasker. All voted in favour.
The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
HR15/26 Clerk’s Report:
The Clerk advised that the e-learning modules to ensure eligibility to sit on the HR committee had been circulated to all councillors earlier in the month.
HR16/26 Parish Councillor Reports:
Cllr Julie Broad gave feedback from the CAP meeting she had attended.
Cllr Debby Hussey gave feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Statement online seminar that she had attended.
HR17/26 Employment Policy and Procedure Review:
It was
RESOLVED to recommend adoption of the amended Dignity at Work policy to Full Council.
Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Shelagh Tasker. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
Members were advised that there would be a significant number of changes to polices following the Employment Rights Act 2025.
HR18/26 Health & Safety:
It was
RESOLVED to note the report following the annual visit from Peninsula and the recommendation of a fresh asbestos audit.
It was
RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that the quotation for £1,635 plus VAT to carry out a fresh asbestos survey on all Council buildings be accepted. It was noted that staff had only been able to obtain one quote from a local contractor.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
HR19/26 Civility & Respect Governance Checklist:
It was
RESOLVED that Cllr Debby Hussey working with the Clerk would complete the checklist as a benchmarking exercise and report back at the next committee meeting.
Proposed by Cllr Julie Broad. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour.
Action: Cllr Debby Hussey and Clerk
HR20/26 Confidential Matter(s):
It was
RESOLVED that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public, representatives of the press and broadcast media and non-committee members be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest because of the confidential nature of the following business to be transacted.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Staff Leave and Absence Report
It was
RESOLVED to note the holiday, sickness absence, and time off in lieu (TOIL) report.
Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour.
Health Surveillance Questionnaires
The Clerk gave a verbal update on staff completing health surveillance questionnaires on Asthma, DSE, Dermatitis, Hand Arm Vibration and Whole-Body Vibration It was
RESOLVED that no further action was required at this time.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Maternity Leave Cover
It was
RESOLVED to ratify the appointment of Lara McShee as Admin Officer for maternity leave cover.
Proposed by Cllr Julie Broad. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour.
Grounds & Maintenance Operative
It was
RESOLVED to ratify the appointment of Mathew Roberts as Grounds & Maintenance Operative
Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Qualification
It was
RESOLVED to award the staff member one increment as per the terms of their contract for obtaining the CILCA qualification.
Proposed by Cllr Julie Broad. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
Refresher Training
It was
RESOLVED that the staff member undertake chainsaw refresher training.
Proposed by Cllr Julie Broad. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
It was agreed that the Clerk should remain in the room for the next item.
Chainsaw Qualification
It was
RESOLVED that the staff member undertake a chainsaw qualification after completing two years of service.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
Mini Digger Qualification
It was
RESOLVED that the staff member undertake a mini digger qualification after completing one year of service.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
Staffing Issue
Members were updated on a staffing issue and the actions taken by the Clerk. It was re-iterated that, Members should not discuss employment matters with staff nor contact staff outside of working hours – all staffing matters should go through the Clerk unless there was a conflict of interest.
It was
RESOLVED to note and support the actions taken by the Clerk, and that the situation continue to be managed by the Clerk with support from Cllr Debby Hussey if required.
Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
It was agreed that the Clerk should remain in the room for the next item.
Statement of Written Particulars
It was
RESOLVED that the updated Statement of Written Particulars (often referred to as the contract) be adopted and issued to all staff as soon as possible to comply with the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Proposed by Cllr Julie Broad. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
It was agreed that the Clerk should remain in the room for the next item.
Correspondence
Members received and considered correspondence. It was
RESOLVED to award the request as presented.
Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Julie Broad. All voted in favour.
Action: Clerk
The meeting ended at 5.05pm
Signed as a true and accurate record –
Chairman ………………………………….…
Date …………………………………….
RECOMMENDATIONS:
HR17/26 Employment Policy and Procedure Review:
That the amended Dignity at Work policy be adopted.
HR18/26 Health & Safety:
That the quotation for £1,635 plus VAT to carry out a fresh asbestos survey on all Council buildings be accepted. It was noted that staff had only been able to obtain one quote from a local contractor.