Can a Clerk organise his own appraisal review?

Question

Our Clerk received a poor but honest appraisal and within 10days of agreeing to the future objectives and action plan, returned to his normal obnoxious behaviour. Now he is trying to make the appraisal null and void by questioning the procedure. This was carried out using the advice provided by both NALC and ACAS.

 

Now he has decided to set up a panel for the review. Unsure why as all Councillors, bar one, agreed with everything.

As far as I know, surely he can't do this. This is down to the Council. Just checking.

Answer 1

Correct.  It is up to the council to determine the arrangements for appraisal, including which councillors are to carry out the appraisal.  The council can decide things like the time and place, or can delegate that to the appraisal panel.  The council is the employer - and as usual must act through formal meetings.  Provided that was done, and the clerk has been treated reasonably, the appraisal should be perfectly valid.

Of course, there is nothing to stop the clerk from putting forward proposals for the appraisal arrangements in order to assist the council.  But the decisions remain the council's.