Manorbier.com
A New Clerk/Proper Officer is to be advertised and appointed by Manorbier Community Council ( whilst previous Clerk is still going through the throes of a protracted employment tribunal hearing. )
After dismissing the Clerk, Mrs Davies, over two years ago Manorbier Community Council took a decision at its meeting held on the 13th August 2008 to appoint a new permanent Clerk/ Proper Officer.
The chairman Cllr Ray Hughes stated that "he did not have time to deal with correspondence" and as Cllr Gourley who had originally taken on the role had now resigned that position byr written letter to the council.
Cllr Calver while accepting that the council had a need for a competent Clerk and Proper Officer it was essential that somebody be appointed. who was independent from elected councillors, he was also concerned that a decision to advertise the position as being permanent would not be appropriate at this stage. In his opinion and being no expert on employment law this decision may create further financial implications for Council and therefore the taxpayers of Manorbier if the tribunal was minded to or the Clerk requested that she be reinstated to her position as part of any award / settlement and he was therefore of the opinion that any position at this stage should only be advertised as a temporary post.
Cllr Gourley informed Cllr Calver that she had experience in employment law and both she and Cllr Hughes further informed him, and the other councillors attending, that they had contacted the Monitoring Officer of the Pembrokeshire County Council over the issue. Mr Laurence Harding, the PCC Monitoring Officer was reported to have advised them that the correct procedure at this stage was advertise the vacancy as a permanent position.
All councillors except Cllr Calver accepted the quoted advice given by Cllr Hughes and Gourley in relation to this matter which they reiterated that they had received from Pembrokeshire County Council and voted to advertise and appoint a permanent Clerk to the Council position.
It would seem that Mr Harding's advice was only given verbally as neither Cllr Hughes or Cllr Gourlay provided anything in writing that could be examined by other councillors. .