Parish Council considers employing an apprentice

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 11^th September 2012

Tue 11^th Sep 2012

Alderley Edge Parish Council is considering taking on an apprentice to help with the management of the hall and the Parish Council's website when it launches.

Cllr Duncan Herald said "The present two staff are often over worked and so we need another pair of hands, and the Hall Management Committee (HMC) think an apprentice is the best way to go about it."

He added "On the latest figures provided to the HMC up to 20 hours a week are not covered."

Councillors Duncan Herald and Melanie Connor have met with representatives from Macclesfield College to learn more about employing an apprentice, for which the national minimum wage is £2.60 per hour. Although employers are encouraged to pay more.

Discussing the idea at Monday's Parish Council meeting, Cllr Mike Williamson commented "The test we need to apply is are we going to get value for money."

Cllr Joseph Bergin disagreed saying "Isn't the test, do we need it? We have a duty to the people who pay council tax. If there is a real need then I will support it."

Cllr Duncan Herald explained that the Parish Council is short of hours and the situation will get worse when they take on further responsibilities as CEC transfers additional assets and services, such as the parks and cemeteries.

Cllr Sue Joseph told councillors that "For someone to be of maximum use to us we are talking about a minimum of 30 hours a week as they spend one day at college (which is paid time)."

Cllr Mary Maczkowiak said "I really don't believe the hours you are quoting are required. I really have an issue with spending public money when I look at the village and see the state of the village. I would rather see the money spent on the village."

Members of the Hall Management Committee will prepare a business plan for a discussion at the next meeting.

Tags:: Parish Council

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Dominic Brown

Wednesday 19^th September 2012 at 2:15 pm

This sounds like a good idea especially if it helps the council, apprenticeships are vital ways of getting young people a start and the council would be setting a great example.

Duncan Herald

Thursday 20^th September 2012 at 6:02 pm

Councilor Maczkowiak is right to point out the state of the village...the Parish Council have an employee (called the lengthsman) part of whose whose job involves spending time clearing up around the village but too much of his time has to be spent at the Hall because of the lack of others...so if/when we have an apprentice, that will release our lengthsman to spend more time in the village, improving its appearance.
Further when C.E. hand over the park, cemetary etc. to the Parish Council, we will need more hours for that; I maintain that the time to train someone up to those new responsibilities is now (an apprentice) Sand not after the handover!