Posted: 20th March 2025, 10:44 AM

We are looking for a clerk to play a pivotal role in the development of our Parish Council. Applicants may already be an experienced clerk or someone with suitable skills and commitment who is prepared to undergo training which could be provided if required

The successful candidate will demonstrate attention to detail, initiative and commitment to the council and its aims, You will need to be able to manage your time well and possess good communication skills,

The Parish Clerk role involves various administration tasks including dealing with queries from members of the public.

Advising the Parish Councillors on procedural and legal matters, by keeping up to date with legislation and legal council updates.

Parish Council meetings (10 annually) agenda and briefings preparation and circulation in advance; notification to the village of upcoming meetings; minute taking at meetings, including agreed actions and follow ups (to be circulated as soon as possible, within 7 days); notifying WODC of PC input to planning applications matters.
There may also be additional extraordinary meetings that may be required. Ongoing management and updating of the PC website and a new Facebook page.

Ensuring insurances are up to date. Booking ROSPA Playground Inspections and any required playground repairs.

As RFO you would be responsible for managing the council’s finances.

Maintain and monitor a list of outstanding actions arising from Parish Council meetings and decisions taken between meetings and prompting councillors so that those actions are completed in a timely manner.

Parish Council laptop is provided.  Storage of some files and minute books is necessary.

Hours currently 24 per month to include currently 10 evening meetings per annum.  Salary scale  LC1 scp 13 (£13.97) to 17 (£14.95) depending on experience. Annual Review of both hours and salary.  Working from home allowance payable

Closing date 30th April 2025       For more information and/or to apply please email   council chair: malcolm.allsop@icloud.com

Posted: 18th March 2025, 11:13 AM

DEPUTY CLERK

Job Title: Deputy Town Clerk

Place of Work: The Old Police Station, High Street, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HB

Reports to: Town Clerk

Salary: LC2 SCP 18 - 23; £30,559-£33,366 (pro rata)

Status: Permanent Contract

Days of week / hours: Monday to Friday (to be agreed), with flexibility required for evening meetings

Hours of work: 16 hours a week, with flexibility due to the demands of the role

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be CiLCA / FiLCA qualified, but consideration will be given to a suitable candidate willing to study. Local government experience would be an advantage

Job Summary: To support the Town Clerk to ensure that the decisions of the Town Council are carried out, with particular responsibility for committee administration, facilities management and to deputise in the Town Clerk’s absence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Deputise for the Town Clerk as Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer and carry out the statutory and delegated functions of the Town Clerk in their absence as required.
2. Assist the Town Clerk in implementing the decisions of the Council and its Committees specifically:

• ensuring that the statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed
• to maintain and monitor the Council’s policy framework
• to assist in the design and promotion of policies of the Council that respond to community need and expectation
• collate information to assist Councillors where necessary, including representation on outside bodies
• to assist the Town Clerk in monitoring complaints and Freedom of Information requests and ensure that these are being dealt with within the agreed timescales; to chase up actions where needed and provide administrative support if needed
• to carry out such research and projects as directed by the Town Clerk

3. Deal with enquiries from the members of the public and Town Councillors
4. Provide support in the organisation and delivery of public and civic events
5. To manage the Council’s Committee Support function by:

• Managing the work plans for each Committee
• Managing the agenda preparation process for all committees and Council, in liaison with the Town Clerk and relevant Committee Chairman
• Attending and minuting meetings of the Council and other committees as directed by the Town Clerk
• Preparing an annual schedule of meetings, including the agenda preparation timetable for approval and subsequent publication on the Council’s website
• Prepare annual reports such as appointments to committees and outside bodies for approval at the Annual Town Council Meeting

6. To compile a yearly calendar of meetings, including information regarding the dates that agendas and minutes will be published for Councillors and once approved, publish on the Council’s website
7. Under the direction of the Town Clerk and/or the Council and in line with the Communications Policy, maintain and keep updated the Town Council website and ensure that the Council’s social media feeds are kept up to date and ensure that a Council response is given, where appropriate, in line with the Council’s adopted policy
8. To produce press releases, in line with the Communications Policy and in consultation with the Town Clerk and any relevant Councillors, and photos for public consumption to promote the Council and maintain its high public profile
9. In conjunction with the Town Clerk and/or Chairman of Council, liaise with local press and media to maximise promotional opportunities on behalf of the Council
10. To assist with the efficient running of the Town Clerk’s office, reviewing and monitoring systems, processes and procedures and updating where appropriate to ensure best practices are exercised and maintained
11. To attend training courses relevant to the role, as required by Council
12. Undertake other duties, tasks and projects as required by the Town Clerk commensurate with the level of the post as necessary
13. Any other duties which the Council may determine from time to time

Closing date for applications: Friday 9 May 2025

Interviews will take place between Monday 19 May and Monday 2 June 2025

For more information or to apply, please contact the Clerk at:clerk1@chippingcampden-tc.gov.uk

Posted: 18th March 2025, 11:11 AM

Appointment of an Administration Officer

(Part Time – 14hrs per week)

An exciting job opportunity!

Salary Scale:  £30,559 to £32,115 (pro rata)

(£11,562 to £12,152 actual)

Bourton Parish Council is looking for an Administration Officer to provide a high quality administrative and clerical service and to effectively contribute to the achievement of the Council's objectives.

Areas of day-to-day responsibility include, providing administrative support responding to daily enquiries from both Councillors and the public, provide support for Parish Council’s Planning Committee and other meetings when required and administrative support to facilitate successful funding and grant applications.

Would you like to know more? To obtain an information pack with full details of the role and application form, please email: 

recruitment@chrgs.co.uk 

Applications must be received by 9am on Thursday 17^th April 2025 

Please note CVs will not be considered 

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 29^th and Wednesday 30^th April 2025 

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact the Office Administrator, Sarah Branson, at Council HR & Governance Support on 07939 400548. 

Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.  

Posted: 17th March 2025, 10:36 AM

Deputy Clerk, Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council

Position: Deputy Clerk reporting to The Clerk (who is also the Responsible Financial Officer)
Salary: £30,000 to £40,00 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: Full-time at 37 hours per week

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Annual Leave: Starting from 24 days per annum plus Bank Holidays

Location: Bidford Parish Council Office, Bramley Way, B50 4QG

Bidford is a large and growing Parish of some 7,000 residents covering Bidford itself along with Broom and the neighbouring hamlets of Barton and Marlcliff.  It is served by a dynamic and forward-thinking Parish Council with many responsibilities and challenges.  With changes planned ahead this will be an exciting time to be involved.

The Deputy Clerk role is a new position providing an excellent opening for someone keen to be involved in the future of the Parish, with the opportunity to progress a career in local government. 

The current Clerk will be reducing her hours, but the Deputy Clerk post will be full-time, offering a stimulating role with a high degree of responsibility, a variety of duties and the opportunity to grow.  The Job Description, Grade and Salary will be finalised depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. 

Exceptional candidates who hold a CiLCA qualification and have relevant experience will be welcomed.

For a Job Description, Person Specification and Application Form please contact the Clerk, Elisabeth Uggerloese by email:  info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk or by calling the Parish Office on 01789 778653 or mobile 07718 628925. The closing date is 25^th April 2025.

Posted: 17th March 2025, 9:51 AM

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY

CLERK AND RFO TO UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Location: This is a work-from-home opportunity but does include a once-a-week meeting with the Chair at a venue to be agreed.

Hours: 10 hours per week to be worked at times to suit.

Salary: Salary offered is pro rata to the national scale LC2 (29-32) of between £38,262 and £41,511 a year for a full-time (37 hrs a week) equivalent. 10 hours per week being an approximate annual salary in the range £10,341 – £11,219. The Parish Council currently enrols employees in the NEST pension scheme.

Job Description:

Provide guidance to the Council.

Oversee and manage all aspects of the Council’s operations.

Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives with the Council.

Represent the Council in external meetings and events as necessary.

Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including contractors, staff, residents, and community partners.

Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

Monitor and evaluate the Council’s performance against agreed resolutions and make recommendations for necessary adjustments to ensure resolutions are completed in a timely manner.

Arrange and attend all formal meetings of the Council and the Annual Parish Meeting, creating and issuing agendas on time and preparing minutes post-meeting.

Manage all communications received in whatever format, forward or deal with as appropriate and in a timely manner, and deal with Parish Council business as necessary or as it may arise.

Prepare and maintain the accounts and financial records of the Council, including all quotations, payments, payroll, VAT reclaim, and end-of-year audits, in accordance with all statutory and other accounting and audit requirements and practices.

Attend all such meetings and conferences as may be necessary for the proper discharge of the duties of the Clerk or as the Council may reasonably require.

Maintain a comprehensive and clear electronic filing system, together with the filing system for all historic and current documents as deemed necessary.

Keep the Parish Council pages of the Upton Village website up to date and in compliance with Transparency requirements. Upload agendas and minutes in a timely manner. Upload all necessary documentation to the Office 365 Cloud storage.

Liaise with the Upton News editor to include Parish Council updates each month.

In due course, administer and keep all such necessary records for the Upton Burial Ground.

Skills Required:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Knowledge of governance principles and best practices desirable but opportunity to undertake such training as may be necessary to gain such knowledge and qualifications to improve Council processes.

Familiarity with financial management and budgeting processes or a willingness to learn.

Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

How to Apply: In the first instance, please send your CV together with a covering letter to parish.clerk@uptonvillage.co.uk.  Should you wish to discuss this opening before applying, this can be done by emailing the above address including your phone number and three convenient times for you to chat. You will then be called by the current Clerk.

Deadline for Applications: Applications will close on the 9th of April, but the Council reserves the right to close the process earlier should a suitable applicant be found.

Interview Date: Interviews will be held at the Council’s earliest convenience following receipt of suitable applicant CVs.

Posted: 12th March 2025, 2:01 PM

Duns Tew Parish Council is looking for an individual with an interest in the local community and a financial background to appoint to the role of Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (PC/RFO). Candidates should haver relevant administrative experience and the CiLCA qualification would be an advantage. 

Hours: Hours may vary over the different months and times of the year but are on average 6 hours per week.  These must include the Parish Council evening meetings held every second month/six times a year and with flexibility for up to six planning meetings if required.  Additional hours may be needed from time to time and will be paid pro rata at the working salary rate.

Location: Work from home as well as in person for PC meetings once every other month in the Duns Tew Village Hall. A laptop and printer will be provided.

Salary: NJC salary scale range 13-18 (starting on scale 13 at £13.97/h) depending on experience and subject to annual review. In addition, you will receive a home working allowance of £40 per month which also includes all ink, printing and stationery costs.   An optional workplace pension scheme is available.

Details:  Parish Clerk

Please note, the clerk is required to be responsive to emails and calls at least twice per week but you are free to plan the hours to suit your commitments.

The Parish Clerk role involves various administration tasks including:

• Dealing with queries from members of the public in person, by telephone and email
• Advising the Parish Councillors on procedural and legal matters, by keeping up to date with legislation and Legal Council updates.
• Meeting Agenda and Briefings preparation, Minute taking at meetings produced, ideally, within 7 days with action follow ups and including updating planning applications with PC decisions to Cherwell District Council.
• Bookkeeping for the PC income and expenditure records, payments to suppliers and bank reconciliations.
• Managing the banking arrangements and signatories.
• Arranging the annual audits required.
• Maintaining the Asset Register
• Ongoing management of the PC section of the Village website in conjunction with the relevant Councillor.
• Ensuring Insurances are up to date and any identified damage / risk to PC land / equipment is dealt with quickly.
• Booking ROSPA Playground Inspections and any required playground repairs.
• Maintain and monitor a list of outstanding actions arising from Parish Council meetings and decisions taken between meetings and prompting councillors so that those actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Managing all Council contracts (such as grass cutting and tree management)
• Booking the Village Hall for meetings and consultations as necessary.

The successful candidate will demonstrate attention to detail, initiative, will have good organisational and time-management skills and possess friendly and professional communication skills.

Good computer skills are essential as is the ability to multitask and minute take in real time in meetings.

The ability to deal with obstacles and challenging individuals is vital.  Due to the evolving nature of the role, there will also be some requirement for flexibility to meet unforeseen requests and tasks.

Experience of local government or Parish Council work will be an advantage but not essential as a full handover and training will be provided.

Duns Tew Parish Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Letters of application along with a C.V. should be sent to the Parish Clerk by 20 April 2025 at clerk.dtpc@gmail.com and interviews will be held at the end of April/early May. The start date for the position will be agreed with the successful applicant but it is hoped this will be in May.

Posted: 12th March 2025, 12:46 PM

Vacancy for Clerk & Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) to Wheatley Parish Council, Wheatley, Oxfordshire
30 hours per week, flexible working available
Salary Level SCP 24-30, £34,314-£39,513 pro rata, dependent on experience/qualifications, plus NEST pension.

Make a Difference in Your Community!

Wheatley Parish Council is looking for an enthusiastic, community-minded individual to take on the key role of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO). This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role in the development of our village, supporting councillors, engaging with residents, and ensuring the smooth running of our local council.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving, and working with people. You’ll help shape local decisions, manage council activities, oversee finances, and ensure we meet legal and procedural requirements.

No Formal Qualifications? No Problem!

We welcome applications from people with a passion for community work, strong organisational skills, and a willingness to learn. Training and support will be provided, including professional
development opportunities. If you have experience in administration, finance, governance, or working with local groups, we’d love to hear from you!

Interested? To apply, please send a CV and covering letter outlining your interest in the role to clerk@wheatleyparishcouncil.gov.uk by 4pm 11th April 2025.
For more information, or to arrange an informal chat, contact Alison Sercombe, Chairman of Wheatley Parish Council via alisonsercombe@wheatleyparishcouncil.gov.uk

Interviews are intended to be held on week commencing 21st April 2025

Posted: 10th March 2025, 12:31 PM

Heyford Park Parish Council

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

Salary within grade

(SCP 24 – 28- £34,314 - £37,938p.a.)

Part-time (10 - 12 hours per week)

If you have a genuine interest in helping our forward thinking and energetic Council develop and deliver timely, quality and innovative services to the local community, this post is ideal. 

You will ensure that all legal, statutory, financial and other governing provisions relating to the Council are observed, all Council meetings are properly administered and decisions effectively implemented whilst developing healthy working partnerships with key local and regional bodies.

Suitably qualified (ideally with or be willing to obtain CiLCA – the Certificate in Local Council Administration), highly motivated, enthusiastic and community focused, you will bring sound leadership, staff management, administrative, communication, IT, financial and organisational skills and be flexible in approach and able to meet deadlines.

We offer excellent nationally based terms and conditions of employment for this post which may involve working evenings and weekends.

Please email steve.cook@heyfordpark-pc.gov.uk for a recruitment pack and an application form.

Closing date for applications:  Friday 4^th April 2025

Heyford Park Parish Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Posted: 3rd March 2025, 11:46 AM

Position: Responsible Finance Officer (RFO)
Location: Kidlington Parish Council
Salary Range: SCP 24-28 £34,314 to £37,938 pro rata,

Hours: 25-30 per week with a flexible working pattern
Closing Date: 28th March 2025
Contact: Sarah Kearney
Email: clerk@kidlington-pc.gov.uk
Website: www.kidlington-pc.gov.uk

Job Description:

Kidlington Parish Council is seeking an experienced and motivated financial professional to collaborate with the Parish Clerk in managing the Council's finances. This is a vital role requiring strong financial acumen, attention to detail, and an understanding of local government operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the financial management of Kidlington Parish Council, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including budgeting, accounts, and financial reports.
• Assist in budget setting, monitoring expenditures, and preparing financial statements.
• Attend Finance & Asset Meetings and take minutes as required.
• Process payroll, VAT returns, and statutory financial submissions.
• Work closely with the Parish Clerk to ensure effective financial governance and decision-making.
• Implement financial controls and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Support audit processes and liaise with internal and external auditors.
• End-of-Year accounts

Qualifications & Person Specification:

Essential:

• Strong financial management and administrative experience.
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Desirable:

• Experience in local government or Town/Parish Council finance.
• Knowledge of financial regulations applicable to parish councils.
• A relevant finance qualification such as FILCA, AAT, ACCA, or CIMA (or willingness to obtain one).
• Familiarity with budget preparation, monitoring, and year-end accounting procedures.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and detail-oriented financial professional to play a crucial role in supporting the work of Kidlington Parish Council.

For full details and to apply, visit www.kidlington-pc.gov.uk.

Posted: 3rd March 2025, 11:34 AM

STAFF VACANCY

Clerk to the Council

The Parish of Harwell is located in the District of Vale of White Horse, approximately 2 miles west of Didcot with an Electoral Roll circa 2500.

Applications are invited for the post of Clerk to the Council.  This is a, part time, permanent vacancy for 16 hours per week.  It is not possible to fulfil the requirements of this role solely from home and involves approximately 2 evening meetings per month (the Council generally meets on Tuesday evenings, temporarily meeting on Thursday evenings).  A parish council laptop and mobile phone will be provided, in addition to the Council equipment for use at the Council Offices.  Flexibility on hours and schedule of the Clerk’s time in the office are fully negotiable, however it is not possible to fulfil the requirements of the role fully remotely.

Salary offered is pro rata to the national scale LC2 (29-32) of between £38,262 and £41,511 a year for a full time (37 hrs a week) equivalent.  16 hours per week being an approximate annual salary in the range £16,656 - £17,904.  The Parish Council currently enrols employees in the NEST pension scheme.

The successful candidate will either already hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification or be willing to gain it within 2 years appointment.  The Clerk plays an integral role in serving the parishioners of the Civil Parish of Harwell and will be responsible to the parish council as a corporate body.

The Council employs three other members of staff, including an RFO and two grounds maintenance staff.  This is a busy parish including allotments, cemetery, recreation ground including play area and other land and buildings.  Candidates should be proactive, good people managers and keen to support our busy community of volunteers and Councillors.

For further information, including contact details, an application pack is available to download at www.HarwellParish.gov.uk.

Closing date for applications: 19^th March 2025.  Applicants are requested to submit a completed application form available to download from our website, and will also include a C.V. and covering letter.  Applications should be marked confidential and for the attention of the Parish Clerk/Proper Officer.  Candidates will be interviewed the following week.