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Dear Editor,

Here are the views of an optimist recently retired PC member; optimistic that a newly elected parish council (PC) will improve their administration.

Volume one - the council clerk

Prior to the appointment of a new clerk and within PC discussion, I, as a qualified personnel officer, (Member Chartered Institute ret'd) assessed the likely work load of a clerk as at the present time.

This, based on the hours worked at the time by the clerk and allowing for any possible necessary additional work. I found this to be likely at between 23 and 27 max. hours per week. This was based upon there being provision of electronic assistance and up to date means of conducting the Council's business and communication and with the proviso that temporary extra hours be approved at any time of increased workload.

I objected to the post being based in the offices of the Hawkinge Partnership as being unnecessary as regards additional costs to the PC and illogical to expect an employee to spend the determined hours of a full time post with insufficient workload to meet the time spent there. I feel the post should be part time and based at the clerk’s place of choice as with the previous clerk with archival facilities provided.

If the post is to be full time the residents may expect that the clerk be at her desk in the partnership office at all times except when attending PC meetings elsewhere. One or the other. Part time or full time, I gave this opinion to the chairman of the council, Cllr Callahan, for the projects group to consider with the offer of further explanation, detail and assistance. This was declined. Hence the full time appointment finally made .

Prior to the appointment I requested a copy of the job description of the post as a PC member. This was not provided.

I understand now that the PC clerk hopes to be provided with a state of the art new laptop computer. This will mean there will be the use of three computers. The recently purchased one used by the previous clerk, a terminal at her place of work (presumably) and a laptop. All this for the work of a clerk which I consider to be ridiculous and bad management of public funds.

It is now suggested that the clerk would prefer to work from her home and attend for occasional hours at her place of work. My original suggestion.

I cannot see the district auditor accepting that on the present basis.

Should the tax payers of Hawkinge expect better management of their resources?

Peter Hogben
Hawkinge parish councillor (retiring)