Town Clerk

Snaith & Cowick Town Council is seeking to appoint a Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer to act as the Council’s Proper Officer and principle advisor, taking responsibility for the effective management of all its business, resources, staff and operations to fulfil its legal and statutory obligations. The role will also include attendance at all Full Council meetings which take place monthly on an evening. Working hour arrangements are flexible.

As Responsible Finance Officer, you will also oversee the financial management of the council.

Please see below the Job Description for more detailed information on the key responsibilities and duties of the Town Clerk.

The postholder is the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all of the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law, of a local authority's Proper Officer. The [insert job title] is responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its functions as a local authority are carried out.

The postholder is expected to:

- advise the Council on and assist in the formation of policies;
- to produce all the information required for the making of effective decisions; and
- to implement constructively all decisions.

The postholder is accountable to the Council, not to individual members, for the effective management of all of its resources and staff, and will report on such matters to the Council as and when required or through any committee system appointed by Council.

The post holder will also act as Responsible Financial Officer under the provisions of section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972. The main responsibilities of this post are contained in Section 18 of this Job Description.

Main Responsibilities:
To carry out all of the functions conferred on the Proper Officer by statute or by the Council.

To be responsible for ensuring that the statutory and other provisions governing the administration of the Council and its affairs are complied with.

To prepare the agendas for the annual calendar of meetings of the Council, its committees, and the Annual Parish/Town Meetings and to attend and prepare the minutes of such meetings.

To prepare the agenda for any extra-ordinary meeting of the Council called by the Chairman of the Council and to attend and prepare the minutes of such a meeting.

To receive hard-copy and electronic correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and deal with such or bring such items to the attention of the Council. The post-holder will issue correspondence as a result of the instructions of, or the known policy of, the Council or where the post-holders has devolved authority to so do.

To study reports and other data on the activities of the Council and on matters bearing to those activities. Where appropriate, to seek advice from ERNLLCA, Officers of the Principal Authority, other specialists in particular fields or any other source the post-holder is of the opinion is appropriate.

The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that all decisions of the Council, its committees and sub-committees are carried out accurately and as promptly as possible.

If so required by Council, or on their own initiative, to review and report on the policies of the Council and how effectively they are being implemented, having regard to value for money and benefit to the community.

To be responsible for supervision of other staff employed by the Council and ensuring that relevant statutory and contractual provisions covering the terms and conditions of employment of staff are observed.

If required by the Council, the post-holder will act as a representative of the Council at conferences, meetings, public enquiries and other similar events.

To be responsible for ensuring that any property is regularly inspected, maintained and adequately insured.

If required by the Council, the post-holder will attend such professional development events as are relevant to their role. In the normal course events the cost of training courses will be paid for by the Council.

If required by the Council, the post-holder will prepare and issue information about the activities of the Council to the press and other media organisations. The post-holder will keep a register of all statements given to the media.

To receive all information as may be required of members in respect of the Code of Conduct.

To manage all services operated by the Council.

To carry out functions arising out of authorities devolved to the post-holder by the Council.

Add any functions that are specific to the Council

To fulfil the role of Responsible Financial Officer which will include the following:
A. To prepare financial reports for the Council or an appropriate committee to show [monthly/quarterly] financial activity against budget, fund and investment balances, with financial statements reconciled to the Council’s bank and investment account