Which administrator can set agenda and take minutes?

Question

We have a number of committees with the main ones served by our Clerk.  However, it would make life easier if one of the other two admin staff could take the Clerk's role in the two smaller committees. Is there any bar to this? Would the admin person need a specific  qualification, for example. And does it make a difference if the admin person simply clerked the meeting and not set the agenda as well? An alternative being considered is a Committee Clerk from outside, paid just for that small role?

Answer 1

Formal agendas have to be signed by the clerk (the exception being meetings called by councillors or the chair in accordance with standing orders such as for an extraordinary meeting) but there's absolutely nothing to stop anyone else taking minutes or indeed preparing the agenda with guidance from the clerk if that would be better for your council.  Lots of councils do that and whilst there are no specific qualifications required to do so, you should remember that your clerk is (hopefully qualified) the proper officer whose job it is to guide and advise council.

Comments

Excellent, thank you.