To report changes to the employment terms of the Clerk and Finance/Admin Officer and other staff matters.

1.1 Legislation introduced in 2006 gives public sector staff new rights to request flexible working arrangements and to continue working beyond normal retirement age in order to accommodate employees’ personal circumstances. Two of the Committee’s staff have made requests under the new provisions.

2.1 Mrs Irene Andrews requested to continue to work full-time beyond normal retirement age with no other change to her employment terms. After consultation with the Chairman, we considered that the Committee would be very pleased to accede to this request which was therefore approved. Mrs Andrews’ change in terms takes place from 21 April 2007 and will be reviewed after 2 years. The Committee wishes to congratulate Mrs Andrews on her 60^th birthday and extend thanks for her many years’ service.

3.1 Mr John Davies reaches normal retirement age in June 2007 and has requested to continue working for the Committee beyond retirement age on more flexible terms. After consultation with the Chairman and Chief Executive, we again considered that the Committee would be very pleased to accede to this request which was therefore approved. The Committee wishes to congratulate Mr Davies on his 65^th birthday and extend thanks for his 7 years’ service.

3.2 In the short term, Mr Davies wishes to reduce his working week from five to four days, from 1 August 2007 with a further possible reduction in 2008. Officers have been examining ways in which this can be accommodated.

3.3 Mrs Kathryn Atkins (wife of the Chief Executive) has accountancy and office/personal assistant qualifications and is available for limited part-time work on a fully flexible basis. Mrs Atkins has ‘work shadowed’ the Finance/Admin Officer for 3 days as a trial.

3.4 Following a discussion by the Finance/Admin Officer with the Chairman, Mrs Atkins was made, and has accepted, an offer to work for one day a week from 7 May 2007. Mrs Atkins and Mr Davies will therefore undertake the duties of the Finance/Admin post on a job share basis.

4.1 A full review of these matters was undertaken by all staff at a full staff meeting on 15 May. No significant health and safety incidents have been reported since the previous review. All required task risk assessments have been completed.

4.2 Field staff have undertaken the training they need to deliver their duties. Where updated training is required to ensure qualifications do not expire, arrangements have been made to complete refresher courses.