Parish Clerk

Part time Parish Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer
Would you like to be more involved in village life? Interested in what happens in the community? Want to work flexible hours from home?

The role involves working with Councillors: setting agendas, attending and minuting Council meetings, producing reports, dealing with correspondence, administering finances, advising on meeting legal requirements and keeping the parish website up to date.

Above all you will have common sense combined with good communication, administrative, organisational and IT skills.

Experience as a Parish Clerk is an advantage but not essential as training and mentoring will be provided.

This role is currently 20 hours per month and is
home-based but there is a requirement to attend Parish Council Meetings at Rennington.

The starting salary for this position will be based on the successful applicant's experience and qualifications, in line with national (NJC) pay scales.

A tax-free Working from Home allowance will also be paid.

You will initially work in tandem with the retiring Clerk for one month to ensure a smooth handover.

For details of the Council's activities please visit the Parish Council website at:

Interviews are expected to be held in the week beginning 28th August.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact:
The Clerk is the Proper Officer to the Parish Council and responsibilities include:

• Monitoring Actions/Decisions of the Parish Council and advising the Council on its statutory duties and the regulatory requirements regarding its activities.
• Attending Parish Council evening meetings - held at 7pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month (at least 10 meetings per annum).
• Preparing meeting agendas in consultation with councillors and taking accurate minutes of Parish Council meetings.
• Ensuring Planning Applications are dealt with by the Parish Council and responses are submitted to Northumberland County Council by return deadlines.
• Fulfilling the function of Responsible Financial Officer - keeping accurate financial records of all monies received, banking, and processing invoices and payments for the council's 2 bank accounts (including using HMRC's Basic PAYE online software).
• Monitoring and balancing the Council's accounts and preparing all records for annual audit purposes and VAT.
• Preparing documents necessary for the Council to set the annual Budget and Precept and monitoring spend against budget.
• Acting on the decisions and resolutions taken at council meetings.
• Dealing with correspondence from Councillors, members of the public and external organisations.
• Maintaining and updating the council's policies, procedures, insurance, and risk assessments.
• Updating the Parish Council website and liaising with councillors to update the Parish Council noticeboard with official documents.
• Keeping records of all legal documents in both electronic (and hard copy format where necessary) and ensuring the security and regular backup of all council documents stored in electronic format and ensuring that Data Protection requirements are met.
• Liaising with Northumberland County Council departments and other agencies as necessary.
• Attending appropriate training.

Person Specification
The Clerk must demonstrate the skills, common sense and confidence and professionalism to handle the role.

Specifically, applicants should have:

• Good organisational and time management skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.
• Good IT skills and familiarity with excel and word an advantage.
• Good research skills and an ability to understand and interpret local government law.
• Ability to work on their own initiative and set their own priorities.
• The ability to get on with people from a range of different backgrounds.
• A relevant Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) or the willingness to work towards achieving this.
• Knowledge of the local area would be an advantage.
• Previous local government experience or employment as a parish clerk is desirable but not essential.

Salary and Expenses
This role is currently 20 hours per month and is based from home.

The starting salary for this position will be based on the successful applicant's experience and qualifications, in line with national (NJC) pay scales.

A tax-free Working from Home allowance will also be paid.

The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) membership fees will be paid by the Council.

Car mileage is paid at £0.45 per mile and office consumables and other necessary expenses are paid for by the Council.

References
Formal references will be taken up following an offer of employment.

Please note that canvassing of anyone involved in the selection process will disqualify you from being appointed.

Job Types:
Part-time, Permanent

Part-time hours: 5 per week

Salary:
£11.00-£20.00 per hour

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