11.3 14.04.26 Staffing Minutes

The Council Office, Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Wood View Road, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 5QB
Tel: 01603 301751 www.hellesdon-pc.gov.uk email: clerk@hellesdon-pc.gov.uk
Clerk: Jonathan Hall

Minutes of a Staffing Committee Meeting 14 April 2026 at 3pm
In the Council Chamber, Diamond Jubilee Lodge, Woodview Road, Hellesdon NR6 5QB
Present: Cllr David Britcher – Chair of the Committee
Cllr Roy Forder
Cllr Shelagh Gurney
Cllr David Maidstone
Cllr Andrew Lock

In attendance:
Rebecca Larke (Deputy clerk)
Dave Marshall (Admin)

1. Apologies and acceptance for absence

Apologies had been received from Cllr Bill Johnson. These were accepted.

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

No declarations were made or dispensations applied for.

3. Public Participation

There were no public present.

4. To receive and consider minutes of meetings held on 3 March 2026.
The minutes of 3 March 2026 were AGREED by the Committee as a true record and signed by
the Chairman.

5. To consider appointment of HR Governance and Support specialist services at an annual
cost of £1900 for a five year contract or £2200 for a three year contract

Cllr Maidstone stated that he supported the appointment of such specialist services, noting that it
was needed to support the Clerk and proposed that the quote was accepted for the longest time.
Cllr Gurney asked whether the cost was included in the budget and whether the matter should be
discussed and/or approved at a Full Council meeting. Cllr Gurney also asked if the appointment
meant attendance at future meetings. A discussion about reviewing staff contracts resulted in the
committee pausing this discussion.

6. To consider recommending to Full Council, as an addition to standing orders, that all
members of the staffing committee must undertake HR training within 3 months of their
appointment to the committee. (Cllr Britcher)

Cllr Britcher explained the rationale behind this agenda item following his own attendance
recently at such training. Members discussed HR training. It was noted that, ideally, all
councillors, would undertake HR training. Cllr Maidstone noted that the Council, as the corporate
body, is responsible for staff.

Approved…………………………………………………...…

Date………………………………………
HPC Staffing Committee Minutes 14 April 2026
 The clerk would be requested to propose wording for an amendment to Standing Orders to reflect
this new requirement. Cllr Britcher advised that the requirement related to members of the
Staffing Committee only, at a cost of approximately £65 per person, and that mandatory and
awareness training could be completed online. The Clerk would be requested to propose wording
for the Standing Orders to reflect this new requirement.

It was RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council, as an amendment to standing orders, that all
members of the staffing committee must undertake HR training within 3 months of their
appointment to the committee.

7. To consider the date, time and venue of next meeting.

The date and time of next meeting to be confirmed.

8. It was RESOLVED under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to exclude the
press and public for the remainder of the meeting in view of the confidential and personal nature
of the business to be transacted.

Cllr Gurney proposed that the Deputy Clerk and Admin staff member temporarily leave the
meeting. All agreed.

3.45pm The Deputy Clerk and Admin staff member left the room.

9. To receive and consider report from independent investigator.

The Chairman, Cllr Maidstone explained the current situation regarding the confidential
investigation. Item 6 was read out including recommendations at 6.1 and 6.2. It was
RESOLVED to accept the recommendations of the report.

4.20 pm Deputy Clerk and Admin member of staff returned to the meeting

On reconvening, the Chair reinstated the press and public. It was RESOLVED to accept
quotation for the five-year HR contract at an annual cost of £1,900.

Meeting closed 4:30 pm

Approved…………………………………………………...…

Date………………………………………
HPC Staffing Committee Minutes 14 April 2026