Vacancy Parish Clerk / RFO
We are seeking a part time Clerk/RFO to undertake the duties of Proper Officer to the council.
We are a small Parish situated between Spilsby and Horncastle in the East Lindsey District.
We have some exciting projects in the pipeline and require a highly motivated individual who likes to make things happen.
Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications but will be in line with levels LC1 (5-17) of the Government Services Pay Agreement. All relevant training and subscriptions to relevant industry bodies will be paid by the Council. You can opt into the Parish Councils pension scheme.
The role is part time and hours to be agreed.
Ideally the successful candidate will be a qualified clerk or prepared to study for and attain the CiLCA qualification and be able to demonstrate knowledge of local government procedures, finance and law, and can work independently and effectively with good IT skills. A working knowledge of Scribe accounting software is a distinct advantage.
Whilst most of the job will be home- based during the week there is a need to attend events outside of your normal office working hours including some evenings to accommodate Council & Committee meetings, which the postholder will be responsible for clerking.
We welcome applications from all sectors of the community and are willing to consider someone new to the role of Clerk who is dedicated to undertake the relevant training.
All we ask for is a “can do” attitude, enthusiasm, excellent organisation skills and a willingness to serve the community and the Council.
Please read the job description for more details on the role. If you think you would be suitable for this post, please complete the application form and send it with your CV and covering letter to:
Natalie Tilsley
cllrtilsley.hundleby.pc@gmail.com
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL - JOB DESCRIPTION
Overall Responsibilities:
The Clerk to the Council will be the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority's Proper Officer.
The Clerk will be totally responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out.
The Clerk is expected to advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Authority's activities; and to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions.
The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required.
The Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO), 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 that the Council conducts its business lawfully.
2. To monitor and balance the Council's accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT as the Responsible Financial Officer.
3. To ensure that the Council's obligations for Risk Assessment are properly met.
4. To ensure that the Council’s obligations under GDPR are properly met.
5. To prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees. To attend such meetings and prepare minutes for approval. *Other than where such duties have been delegated to another Officer.
6. To attend all meetings of the Council (every first Monday of the month) and all meetings of The Council’s committees and subcommittees. *Other than where such duties have been delegated to another Officer.
7. To Administer all the Council’s paperwork and keep property registers and other legal documents.
8. 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 because of instructions of, or the known policy of, the Council.
9. 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 goods and services and to ensure payment is received.
10. To ensure the Website is kept up to date and all relevant documents are posted as required.
11. To study reports and other data on activities of the Council and on matters bearing on those activities. Where appropriate, to discuss such matters with administrators and specialists in particular fields and to produce reports for circulation and discussion by the Council.
12. To draw up both on their own initiative and because of suggestions by Councillors proposals for consideration by the Council and to advise on practicability and likely effects of specific courses of action.
13. To undertake all necessary activities in connection with the management of salaries, conditions of employment for staff.
14. To monitor the implemented policies and decisions of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggest modifications.
15. To act as the representative of the Council as required.
16. To issue notices and prepare agendas and minutes for the Parish Meeting and ensure the public are aware of the date, time and location of the said meetings.
17.To attend the assemblies of the Parish Meeting and to implement the decisions made at the assemblies that are agreed by the Council.
18. To prepare, in consultation with the Council, press releases and newsletters about the activities of, or decisions of, the Council.
19. To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council.
20. To work towards the achievement of the status of Qualified Clerk as a minimum requirement for effectiveness in the position of Clerk to the Council.
21. To continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council: Suggested is membership of your professional body The Society of Local Council Clerks.
Salary & Expenses
Salary is subject to experience and qualifications but will in line with the Local Government Services Pay Agreement. Your probationary period will be no less than 13 weeks. All expenses, with receipts, incurred in the undertaking of the role will be reimbursed. You will be paid monthly in arrears.
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL – PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
A can-do attitude
A great problem solver
Exceptional Organisation skills
A high level of competency using Word software
A high level of competency using Excel software
Good finance and bookkeeping skills
An exceptional time manager, able to keep to deadlines
Desirable
CiLCA Qualified
Accounting qualifications
Working knowledge of Scribe
Lives within the Parish or close by.