Berkshire Association of Local Councils is pleased to announce a new employment advice service available from 7th July 2014. Queries regarding staff issues within the council such as terms and conditions, employment rights, sickness absence, annual leave, maternity etc can now be answered by our new Employment Advisor.

This service, which is available free of charge to all member councils, will be provided by Bethan Osborne. If your council has an employment or HR related problem which you need help with please summarise it in writing and send it to me at BALC, I will forward it to Bethan. She will then get back to you with advice.

This is not unfortunately open-ended; initial advice will be free but if it is a complex or potentially time consuming problem then your council will need to enter into a contractual/consultancy arrangement with Bethan at competitive rates.

Bethan is an experienced personnel and human resources professional.  A member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; until recently she has been the National Employment Advisor for the Society of Local Council Clerks which has given her a unique understanding of our sector.

Bethan will also be providing regular updates which will be in our monthly newsletter on current changes in employment law which will affect parish councils.

We will be offering training with an employment content which will start with “Being a Good Employer – essential employment know-how for councils” on Wednesday 25th March 2015. Bookings will be opened later in the year.