Terms of Reference for Committees/ Working Parties

Staffing Committee

Staffing Committee – Terms of Reference

1. Purpose


The Staffing Committee is established to support the Parish Council in managing employment, staffing, and human resources matters, with delegated powers as outlined below.


2. Membership

  • The Committee shall consist of 3 councillors, appointed annually by the Parish Council at its Annual Meeting.
  • The Chair of the Staffing Committee shall be appointed by the Full Council.
  • In the absence of the appointed Chair, the Committee will elect another member to preside over the meeting.
  • The quorum for meetings shall be two 2 councillors.


3. Meetings

  • The Committee shall meet as required, with a minimum of one meeting annually.
  • Meetings will generally be convened with five clear days' notice, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.
  • Proper minutes of all meetings shall be taken by the Clerk or a designated note-taker and kept in accordance with statutory requirements. Resolutions that relate to confidential matters will be published but without disclosing confidential material.


4. Delegated Powers

  • The Committee has delegated authority to:
  • Oversee recruitment, appointment, and induction of staff.
  • Review staffing structures and levels.
  • Agree job descriptions and person specifications.
  • Conduct staff appraisals and monitor performance.
  • Handle matters relating to discipline, capability, grievance, and absence in accordance with adopted procedures.
  • Determine pay and conditions of employment in line with relevant national and local frameworks.
  • Approve staff training and development.
  • Review and recommend employment-related policies and procedures for Council adoption.
  • Make recommendations to the Council regarding budgets related to staffing.

5. Confidentiality and Public Access

  • Meetings of the Staffing Committee will be open to the public.
  • However, when agenda items involve matters that are private or confidential, the Committee may resolve to exclude the press and public under Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, stating that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
  • Members of the Committee must maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct and relevant legislation (Data Protection Act 2018 / GDPR, rules of confidentiality and privacy, Human Rights Act, etc).

6. Review

These Terms of Reference shall be reviewed annually at the Annual Meeting of the Council and may be amended at any time by resolution of the Full Council.