Parish Council

Vacancy

by

JOB SPECIFICATION

CLERK and RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER TO SHORNE PARISH COUNCIL

PRIMARILY HOME OFFICE BASED, 15 HOURS PER WEEK,

INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT 21 EVENING MEETINGS PER YEAR 

Overall Responsibilities 

The Clerk to the Parish Council is the legal Officer of the Council, and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all notifications required by law, of a local authority’s Proper Officer.

The Clerk is expected to advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, policies to be followed in respect of the Council’s activities, and in particular to produce all appropriate information required to enable the Council to make effective decisions and to implement its decisions. The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of its resources, and will report to them as and when required. The Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer and responsible for all financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances.

Specific Responsibilities 

  1. To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed and updated.
  1. To monitor and balance the Council’s accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT.
  1. To ensure that the Council’s obligations for Risk Assessment are properly met.
  1. Other than where such duties have been delegated to a Member, to prepare, in consultation with appropriate Members, agendas for meetings of the Council and its Committees, and the annual Parish Assembly. To attend all such meetings and prepare minutes for approval by the Council or the relevant Committee.
  1. To publicise all agendas and minutes for meetings of the Council and Committees and other relevant notices, through publishing such agendas, minutes, and notices on the Parish website in a timely manner, and where appropriate arranging for them to be posted on the parish noticeboards.
  1. To receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and to deal with the correspondence or documents, or bring such items to the attention of the Council. To issue correspondence as a result of instructions of, or the known policy of the Council.
  1. To receive and report on invoices for goods and services to be paid for by the Council and to ensure such accounts are met. To issue invoices on behalf of the Council for any goods or services rendered and to ensure payment is received.
  1. To study reports and legislation on matters affecting the activities of the Council and on matters bearing on those activities. Where appropriate, to seek advice on such matters and to produce summary reports for circulation and discussion by the Council.
  1. To draw up both on his/her own initiative and as a result of suggestions by Councillors proposals for consideration by the Council and to advise on practicability and likely effects of specific courses of action.
  1. To monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggest modifications.
  1. To hold copies of deeds, leases, licences, and other legal documents, and arrange for their safe-keeping and retrieval.
  1. To ensure continuity of insurance and maintenance requirements for Parish-owned land, property, and equipment.
  1. To act as the legal representative of the Council as required.
  1. To manage the data received by the Council for the purposes of applicable law, including GDPR.
  1. To keep the Parish website up to date.
  1. To liaise, and maintain good relations, with community bodies, including village associations, churches, schools, sports and social clubs and other groups, and act as a point of contact for local businesses.
  1. To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council, including (if not already achieved), working towards the achievement of the status of Qualified Clerk as a minimum requirement for effectiveness in the position of Clerk to the Council and to continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council. It is expected that you will be a member of The Society of Local Council Clerks.
  1. To attend meetings of KALC, the local Clerks’ Forum, and other relevant bodies, as a representative of the Council as required.

Starting Salary (from 1st April 2019) to be £24,313 to £26,999 pro rata, equivalent to £12.64 to £14.03 per hour, depending on experience, in accordance with New SCP points 18 to 23 on the NJC scale.

To apply for this position, please send a copy of your CV, together with a letter stating why you think you would be suitable for this role, to vacancy@shorneparishcouncil.org not later than Wednesday 10th April 2019.