can clerk dictate meeting times

Question

Aside from the regular meetings - Full Council, Planning, Finance etc. We also hold more informal meetings, however the clerk states they need to be present for all meetings (though this is selective as some meetings are held and recorded so they can be typed up later). Clerk cites lack of childcare or other commitments as to why evening meetings cannot take place, however some of the councillors work so they cannot attend daytime meetings.
I feel we are at the beck and call of the clerk. They are determined they need to be there for these meetings but this is inconsistent and I feel is dependant on which councillors are to be present. Surely it is up to councillors to decided on a convenient meeting time, and does the clerk need to be present? - these are informal discussions and any ideas will go back to full council or committee as relevant.

Answer 1

If your clerk can't attend, what is your alternative? Do they actually need to be there, as in legally? What is the status of these 'informal' meetings in the democratic procecss? In some regards, you are at the beck and call of the clerk; you say 'some' of the councillors work during the day-if they were to meet, are they quorate? That's all you need.
Lack of childcare is a legitimate reason for not being able to attend. Perhaps they only have childcare on certain days?

Answer 2

An alternative is that the Clerk could attend online as there is no legal requirement for the Clerk to be present at the meeting (unlike the Councillors).

Answer 3

I think this may be another of those questions where the devil is in the detail.  All meetings of the council or any committee of the council must be open to the public and have an agenda which specifies the business to be transacted which is issued no later than three clear days before the meeting.  There is absolutely no necessity for the clerk to be in attendance but surely that's what the clerk is paid for?  However, if someone else is able to take the minutes then I'd suggest there are no issues.  Assuming you're using your own premises for the meeting, I presume venue availability is no issue either although if you're not, I can see that village halls etc. don't always have availability for the day/date/time you might have resolved to have a meeting.

I do have a question about your "informal" meetings.  Frankly, if you're having a chat at the pub, clearly that's not a meeting but if you're having meetings to discuss items ultimately coming to council for agreement, there is an argument that you are making decisions outside of the formal processes for doing so.  Working groups or task and finish groups might be set up to discuss items as part of a project for example, and their meetings can be informal, do not need a clerk or anyone else, but it is important that these have terms of reference to set out the parameters and that they do not make decisions which are binding on the council.
As I said, lots of ifs, buts and maybe to answer your question.  More information might help refine any response