Shalford Parish Council –Clerk Vacancy
Shalford Parish Council are looking for an ambitious and self-motivated clerk to support the Council. The Council meets 11 times a year and has an electorate of 675. Shalford is a relatively small parish, the Councillors are ambitious.
The position is 35 hours per month of which the hours can be spread dependent on workload, therefore flexibility is required. Home based working except for meetings. One evening meeting, third Wednesday of the month 7:15pm-9:30pm.
The outgoing qualified Clerk has ensured all foundation governance and finance elements are in place, ensuring the new clerk can focus on projects and the more exciting elements of clerking.
A qualified clerk or one with experience would be preferred, unqualified candidates will be expected to start CiLCA within 3 months.
SCP 19 – 21 (£14.48 – £15.02) depending on qualification.
Working from home allowance.
Holiday of 45 hours per year – pro-rata.
Employer Pension Contributions of 7.5%
All applicants to send a CV and Covering Letter to
clerk@shalford-essex-pc.gov.uk
References on request.
For an informal discussion about the role please call the current clerk Michelle Baker on 01371 829094
Deadline for applications – 01/12/2022
Any candidates may wish to also consider the vacancies in The Salings and Rayne, all three work closely and the full complement would provide 30 hours per week.
Job Description:
The parish council Clerk is the ‘engine’ of an effective parish council. They are the principal executive and adviser and is the officer responsible for the administration of its financial affairs.
The Clerk is the line manager for the ranger.
The Clerk is required to give clear guidance to Councillors, including the Chair, before decisions are reached, even when that guidance may be unpalatable.
The Clerk has a key role in advising the council, and Councillors, on governance, ethical and procedural matters. They must also liaise with the Monitoring Officer at the district/unitary council on ethical issues and the Councillors’ Register of Interests.
Job Specification:
- To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
- To monitor and balance the Council’s accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT.
- To ensure that the Council’s obligations for Risk Assessment are properly met.
- To prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees. To attend such meetings and prepare minutes for approval.
- To attend all meetings of the Council and all meetings of its committees and sub-committees.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- To supervise any other members of staff as their line manager in keeping with the policies of the Council and to undertake all necessary activities in connection with the management of salaries, conditions of employment and work of other staff.
- To monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggest modifications.
- To act as the representative of the Council as required.
- To issue notices and prepare agendas and minutes for the Parish Meeting: to attend the assemblies of the Parish Meeting and to implement the decisions made at the assemblies that are agreed by the Council.
- To prepare, in consultation with the Chairman, press releases about the activities of, or decisions of, the Council.
- To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council.
- 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.
- 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.