The Policy and Resources Committee, chaired by Councillor Bob Brice, is responsible for the council’s employees and finance.

It establishes policies and codes of conduct and ensures the council is aware of new legislation. The committee also ensures the council is actively involved in the move towards the Unitary Wiltshire Council. We take a closer look at what the committe does.

The town council has a small but dedicated team covering finance, human resources and administration, who are based at the council’s offices in Fore Street.

Richard Mills, management accountant deals with all the financial aspects of the council including budgets, management information systems, statutory accounts and human resources.

FINANCE

Finance officer, Lin Goodenough processes all of the council’s accounts, including sales and purchase ledger, credit control and VAT returns. In addition she is responsible for Payroll and P.A.Y.E and arranging payment of staff salaries. The Finance department is also supported by receptionist Elaine Perry who undertakes the invoicing for the hiring of Civic Hall and Longfield Community Centre.

All finance work is overseen by Richard Mills, and is regularly verified by councillors, internal and external auditors.

Since Lin joined the council in 2000 they have taken over the Civic Hall, Longfield Community Centre and Information Centre which has resulted in a significant increase in her workload; in the last six months finance has invoiced 335 customers and processed 894 purchase invoices.

Other changes Lin has been involved in include the transfer of the accounts systems from a manual to a computerised system and the setting up of payments of staff salaries direct into their bank accounts.

Both new systems have proved successful and save a lot of time.

There is never a dull moment in the finance department. It is busy and it can be a challenge to meet deadlines but despite this Lin thoroughly enjoys her work.

HUMAN RESOURCES (HR)

Hazel Lambert, in her role as administration officer, deals with all HR related administration and is heavily involved in recruitment, induction, training (including Investors in People accreditation), arranging work placements and pension administration, to name but a few.

Originally employed as a part time receptionist/ administration assistant, Hazel moved to her current role in October 2006.

As well as supporting the council’s permanent staff (full and part time), HR also look after a number of casual staff (Civic Hall bar staff and Community Services sports assistants) and volunteers (at Trowbridge Museum and the Information Centre).

The department is also responsible for reviewing and updating council’s Policies and Procedures, which are finally approved by the Town Clerk or the Policy and Resources Committee.

Given the small number of council employees HR also undertake other duties, not specifically related to employee relations.

These include:

  • Dealing with insurance claims
  • Support/holiday cover for the finance officer
  • Compilation of Key Performance Indicators
  • Updating of the Trowbridge Community Area website: www.trowbridge.gov.uk which in the last 6 months has recorded 42,512 hits – an increase of 10,733 compared to the same period last year.
RECEPTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Office manager, Christine Scrivens, and her team of Elaine Perry and Dawn Galpin, are responsible for reception and the general administration and support for a number of Council activities.

Reception is the hub of the Council; in the last six month period Chris, Elaine and Dawn have assisted 2,282 visitors and dealt with 6,048 phone calls.

As well as dealing with enquiries, reception are responsible for keeping records up to date, displaying agendas for council meetings in council notice boards (outside the Fore Street offices and at the Town Hall) and putting up posters for local community events in the notice boards in The Shires and Castle Place Shopping Centres and the Park.

As well as these duties they, like the HR department, wear a variety of other hats!

Elaine gives administration support to Trowbridge Community Area Future and the finance department, raising invoices and dealing with credit control.

Dawn is also the planning assistant, giving support to the Town Development Committee. She is responsible for preparing the agendas, receiving and documenting plans and, after attending Town Development meetings, preparing and circulating the minutes.

Chris’ role is varied; she is responsible for providing IT support to colleagues, data control, office equipment and stationery stock control.

With support from Elaine and Dawn she organises a number of council events:

  • Annual Town Gathering
  • Civic and Town Enhancement Awards
  • Civic Dinner
  • Civic Service
  • Remembrance Day Sherry reception.

The team are also responsible for the Town Council stand at events such as the West Wilts Show, Community Spotlight, May Day and Christmas Street Fayres and, more recently the Trowbridge Discovery Day.

On top of all this Chris is also the Trowbridge in Bloom coordinator for competitions, entry forms, judging and the presentation evening; for which she again receives valuable support from Elaine and Dawn.