A MEETING regarding the use of zero hour contracts within Monmouthshire County Council will be held by its Audit Committee next week.

A motion passed in October at a council meeting asked the committee to investigate and outline the use of such contracts and to report to the next full council meeting.

The meeting will also seek to reassure members that the council’s employment practise is appropriate and does not disadvantage employees.

The proposal followed a lengthy and heated debate in September between councillors regarding an initial report that showed that 318 people are employed by the council with no contracted hours.

Speaking at the time, Labour councillor Kevin Williams said: “These contracts are generally a boil in the backside of the world.

“They’re very insecure for those on zero hours.”

Members have also asked for trend information for previous years and as well as a review of some contracts which are in excess of 20 hours per week.

According to a council report, services across the organisation look to minimise the use of non–guaranteed and casual hour contracts to those areas where individuals are employed on a casual basis.