Dunchurch Parish Council
Appointment of Parish Clerk and RFO
If you have a genuine interest in helping our forward thinking and energetic parish council to develop and deliver timely and innovative services to the local community and ultimately work towards Quality Parish Status, this post is ideal for you. Given the nature of the role, but particularly the critical nature of its legal functions, there is a need for candidates to have relevant administrative experience.
Hours: The hours are 25 per week to include the monthly Parish Council evening meeting every second Monday of the month except August.
Overtime hours may be needed from time to time and will be paid pro rata at working salary rate.
A Community Hub Officer role works 8 hours per week.
Salary: Salary will be in the range of NJC Scale LC2, points 24 – 28 depending on qualifications and experience. It is based National Scale for Council staff depending on experience and subject to annual review.
In addition, you will receive a home working allowance of £26 per month and a workplace pension scheme (NEST).
Details: Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
Please note, the clerk is required to be responsive to emails and calls on a regular basis so this is a role which requires activity at the very least three times a week, it cannot be done in just one or two days per week. The role is home-based with one morning to be spent in the Parish Office each week.
The role of a Parish Clerk is to support the Council as a whole, ensure that it conducts its business properly, and to provide independent, objective, and professional advice and support to the Councillors, all of whom are keen to improve the facilities and services in the village. It is a varied and responsible role, and we are looking for a friendly enthusiastic person with a can-do attitude.
The Clerk is accountable for the overall administration of the Parish Council. Their main
duties are to:
- Ensure that the Council complies with its legal obligations and responsibilities
- Implement the decisions of the Parish Council
- Work with councillors to develop plans and priorities for the Parish Council
- Manage the Council’s communications and information
- Act as the Responsible Financial Officer, managing the council’s finances.
More specifically, the Clerk will:
- Administer the Council’s paperwork, electronic storage of key documents and policies, and keep proper records in accordance with good office practice and Council regulations.
- Arrange, attend, and support the monthly Council meetings.
- Arrange, attend and support any additional Committee/Working Groups meetings
- For all Council meetings, issue agendas, take minutes, update action lists, and ensure that documents are prepared, authorised, issued and filed.
- Administer electronic filing systems, keep the content on the Parish Council website and Facebook page up to date.
- Act as Responsible Finance Officer. Manage and administer the Council’s finances, process purchase orders and invoices, banking, raise sales invoices, prepare VAT returns, prepare monthly reports to the Council and annual reports including AGAR, assist in preparing the annual budget, and administer and report on grants. Liaise with payroll provider who calculates our payroll and maintain HR records.
- Manage contracting and purchasing processes, oversee work done by contractors, and general project management.
- Develop and maintain an accessible annual Parish Council Calendar detailing key dates, Council obligations and activities.
- Administer contracts for ongoing services such as landscaping, refuse collection (Parish bins), electricity, streetlights, IT support, and insurance, and proactively seek and negotiate proposals from new providers.
- Assist Councillors to organise and manage the provision and maintenance of the Council services and assets and facilities including its open spaces and trees, play areas, bus shelters/benches, and other fixed assets. This includes organising routine services such as electrical testing, tree surveys, RoSPA surveys, and audits etc.
- Support the implementation of the Council’s projects (e.g. where necessary seeking quotes, liaise with contractors).
- Work with Councillors to prepare and submit grant applications, and conduct research on a range of topics.
- Administer and maintain appropriate Council policies. Inform Councillors promptly of new policies, obligations and opportunities, including staff salary reviews, as soon as they have been published by the relevant national and regional bodies etc.
- Maintain the Asset Register and other records required in law.
- Liaise with Parish, District and County Councillors and Contractors, possible future employees as appropriate to respond to and follow up matters raised by parishioners and others.
- Ensure that inspections of play equipment and defibrillators are conducted and recorded in line with good practice. Respond to and forward Council correspondence promptly.
- Additional tasks, as required.
The successful candidate will:
- Be well organised, and able to both implement and follow procedures.
- Be IT literate, and willing and able to learn to use technologies that they are not familiar with, e.g. by accessing on-line training. We use the following software: Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel, and EdgeIT (accounts). We expect the candidate to be proficient with Outlook, Word and Excel, and familiar with accounts packages (preferably though not necessarily EdgeIT).
- Be able to communicate effectively and accurately, in writing and verbally.
- Have at least 3 years’ experience of working in a similar role.
- Ideally the candidate will be CiLCA and CiLCA qualified, or to have made progress in obtaining CiLCA. If not, they will be expected to work towards the qualification within an agreed time period.
The successful candidate will demonstrate attention to detail, initiative, will have good organisational, time management, and possess friendly and professional communication skills.
Salary (including pension and holidays) will be in line with national guidelines, at an increment level commensurate with experience, at NJC pay scales 24-28. The salary rate will be increased once the 2025 pay review is agreed. Core hours are 25 hours per week.
The candidate will be provided with a laptop, mobile phone, and other equipment as required and mutually agreed.
There is a six month probationary period.
For more information please email clerk@dunchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk.
To apply please send completed application form to clerk@dunchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk.
Closing Date: 5pm on 27th June 2025.