Human Resources March Minutes 2026
Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s
Human Resources Committee held on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 10:00 in the Millennium Hall.
Chair of the Committee: Cllr M Palmer
Vice-Chair of the Committee: Cllr J Trahearn
Present: Cllr M Palmer- Chair, Cllr J Trahearn - Vice chair, Cllr R Houghton, Cllr S Bates, Cllr P Bucke, Cllr J Betts, Cllr K Mellor.
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To elect a minute taker.
RESOLVED unanimously to elect the Clerk
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To note and record apologies and absences.
NONE
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To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other interests as outlined in the Council’s Code of Conduct.
NONE
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To receive the notes of the last meeting held on the 25th February 2026 and agree for them to be signed as a true record.
RESOLVED unanimously to approve the minutes from the 25th February 2026 as a true record.
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To approve the Clerk to work from home on the following morning following the FC meetings to complete the minutes.
RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Clerk to work from home following the Full Council meeting. Allowing the minutes and any necessary actions to be carried out undisturbed.
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To review and approve the Flexible working policy.
A number of best‑practice elements are to be incorporated, alongside the relevant legislation, to allow greater flexibility for both the employer and the employee.
Section 4. is to be removed and, if appropriate, integrated into the Recruitment Policy. The Clerk will circulate a copy of the Recruitment Policy to Cllr R. Houghton for review.
(ACTION - Clerk & Cllr R Houghton)
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To review and approve the Training and development policy.
A discussion had taken place, and no further work had been undertaken since the previous
meeting. It was agreed that the draft provided a solid foundation for the policy, although additional
content would be required as it develops.
It was noted that councillor training cannot be mandated; however, it can be strongly encouraged
and embedded within the appropriate policies and procedures. The idea of creating an internal
welcome pack was considered, to accompany the Good Councillor Guide, Standing Orders, and
the standard documentation issued to all councillors.
The Clerk will issue a form to all councillors to capture their skills and training.
As a result of the discussion, it was also felt that the Co‑option Policy could support the process of selecting suitable members for CWPC.
(Action Clerk & Cllr R Houghton)
TO RESOLVE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE FOLLOWING MATTERS
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To receive a report from a line manager regarding staff welfare.
Discussed as a collective under item 9
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To receive a report from the Line managers.
Cllr R. Houghton and Cllr J. Trahearn met with the RFO and received an update on the targets set during their appraisal. Clear objectives and timelines had been established to support progress within council operations. These included a CIL’s Procedure and a section 106 agreement procedure, this will be taken to Finance & General Purposes. It was noted that some processes are not functioning as effectively as they could; however, all required policies and procedures are being met.
Purchase and Councillor expenses procedure will be drafted and taken for review with the Finance and General Purposes committee along with the annual review of the finance regulations and the standing orders.
(Action-RFO )