Job Vacancies & Jobs Wanted

Baydon Parish Council, Wiltshire

Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

Location: home or office

Working predominantly from home, and also attending one full Council meetings every 6 weeks (and extraordinary and other meetings as necessary)

Hours: per week or month

Approximately 7 hours a week

£ salary (range) & other key benefits

Salary negotiable depending on experience and qualifications

Laptop, printer & scanner provided

Training opportunities

GENERAL TASKS

• Logging all correspondence received via mail, e-mail and telephone
• Writing letters, responding to mails and keeping a copy of all outgoing correspondence
• Logging invoices received
• Logging payments received and paying them in promptly
• Billing for services provided by PC e.g. allotment rent
• Preparing agendas
• Preparing cheques/online payments for signing at monthly meetings and sending them to payees
• Attending monthly PC meeting to take notes and produce minutes
• Distributing information to chairman, councillors, the public, parish magazine and diary as necessary
• Keeping PC notice board in Baydon up-to-date with agendas, minutes, and ad hoc meeting notices etc as per legal requirements plus other notices as necessary
• Sending information to the Baydon website to include agenda, minutes, councillor, committee and councillor lists, meeting dates etc
• Keeping PC information up-to-date (e.g. asset register, contact details etc) and paper and electronic filing systems well organised
• Managing bank accounts to ensure there is enough in current account, and organising signatory changes when necessary
• Managing direct debits
• Installing software updates to the laptop
• Purchasing office supplies including paper, ink cartridges, stamps envelopes etc as required
• Storing Parish Council records
• Liaising with Electoral services when councillor vacancy arises and carrying out associated legal and administrative Processes
• Providing general advice on legal procedures, powers and duties.

MONTHLY TASKS

Input of all financial transactions into accounts spreadsheet

Reconciling bank statements against accounts and producing a reconciliation report

HMRC Payment through BASIC PAYE TOOL

QUARTERLY TASKS

Producing budget versus actual income and expenditure report for the year-to-date

ANNUAL TASKS

• Submitting VAT return to HMRC
• Producing annual accounts, and submitting them to internal and external auditors
• Displaying account information pre and post-external audit on PC notice boards and website as legally required
• Initiating grant applications and subsequent correspondence
• Getting quotes for grass-cutting and Insurance and other services/purchases as required
• Producing documentation to support annual budget planning process
• Initiating reviews of Standing Orders and Risk Assessment
• Culling paper and electronic filing systems, in line with legal and practical requirements
• Organising annual election of chairman and vice-chairman at AGM and updating councillors and committees lists accordingly
• Organising Annual Parish Assembly
• Booking BYPA Hall for following year

EVERY 4 YEARS

Distribution of information regarding election

Organising signing of acceptance of office and forms and registration of interests process

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Previous Parish Clerk experience is preferable, though a proven ability of administration experience is acceptable.

FINANCE

Good knowledge of financial control & budgeting setting preferable

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Administration experience with an organised approach.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

·         Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office

·         Experience of working with computer accounting packages

·         Good working knowledge of IT systems

COMPETENCIES AND COMMUNICATION

·         Ability to work effectively on your own or in a team

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to build good relationships with Councillors

·         Ability to communicate well with all sectors of the community with diplomacy and in the best interests of the Council

·         Ability to provide objective advice to councillors in a timely and coherent manner

·         Ability to work to work to a deadline

MEETINGS AND ADMINISTRATION

·         Practical experience of servicing committees

·         Availability to attend evening Council meetings

·         Willingness to be contactable via email or telephone by councillors and members of the public

·         Acting as the Parish address for the Parish Council

·         Commitment to continual professional development, including studying for the Certificate in Local Council Admin (CiLCA)

How to apply

In writing to the Acting Clerk, Mrs Karen Clay baydonparishclerk@gmail.com

Deadline

1^st November 2018

Interview date

To be advised

Vacancy     -   Responsible Financial Officer

Wallingford Town Council Offices, 9 St Martins Street, Wallingford  OX10 0AL

37 Hours per week

Salary: LC2 POINT 38, (currently £34,106)

 Wallingford is an historic and beautiful market town in Oxfordshire, with a population of around 7,500 and an annual precept of around £400,000. The Town is served by a politically independent Town Council which is looking for a highly motivated and forward-thinking Responsible Financial Officer, who is experienced in local Government finance.

Reporting to the Town Clerk and working under the governance of Finance and Properties Committee, the Responsible Financial Officer will ensure the smooth financial administration of the Council, with specific responsibilities for accounts, bookkeeping and routine property matters. The post holder will also be required to deputise in the absence of the Town Clerk in matters relating to the overall administration of the Council’s affairs.

Under section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 the post holder will be the Council’s designated Responsible Financial Officer.

We offer excellent benefits including the local government pension scheme.  The post is full-time (37 hours per week), and will require some evening working but we would be pleased to consider proposals for flexible working.  As an employer we are committed to equality of opportunity for all our residents and staff. 

Skills & knowledge

·         Educated to at least A level or equivalent

·         Previous experience in relevant local government area

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills

·         Excellent financial acumen and commercial awareness

·         Strong analytical skills

·         General administration skills

·         Project management skills

·         Effective prioritisation and delegation skills

·         Ability to anticipate future needs as well as deliver on current priorities.

·         Ability to interpret and implement complex financial regulations, and to understand the full implications of all financial decisions

·         Ability to analyse problems relating to the Council’s administration and finance, and to propose and implement solutions on a day to day and long term basis.

·         Able to work on own initiative without supervision and within a small team environment.

·         Use of IT systems accounting systems and Microsoft Office (or equivalent)

·         Ability to build effective working relationships with Members of Council, staff and a range of stakeholders

·         Pleasant and tactful manner and able to deal with difficult customers and situations whilst maintaining the good name of the Council.

Experience

·         Effective budget management (at least £250k)

·         The implementation and maintenance of effective accounting systems, including bookkeeping, cash management, VAT, payroll and other expenses.

·         Implementing solutions to administrative challenges using IT where appropriate.

·         Managing a range of activities to deadlines within pre-agreed timescales within changing priorities

·         Developing solutions to a range of practical and technical problems

·         Independent decision making, applying judgement to refer decision making where necessary

Personal Qualities

·         Energy, enthusiasm and commitment

·         Focused on solutions rather than problems 

·         Ability to inspire confidence in key stakeholders

·         Ability to motivate and inspire others to drive up standards

·         Strong interpersonal, skills

·         Commitment to Continual Professional Development

·         Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required

How to apply

If you think you meet these requirements, we would like to hear from you. An information pack can be obtained from the Town's website www.wallingford.co.uk,  by email: queries@wallingfordtowncouncil.gov.uk  or by telephoning the Town Council offices on 01491 835373.

Deadline  4.30pm Friday 7^th September 2018

Interview date  Friday 14^th September 2018

Appleton with Eaton Parish Council

Vacancy for Clerk to the Parish Council/Responsible Financial Officer

Location:

Home based

Hours:

40 hours per month. These hours are generally flexible except for the monthly meeting of the parish council and the sub-committee meeting which is every second month.

£ salary (range) & other key benefits

Salary to be agreed, depending on qualifications and experience, within the national guidelines.

Detail

The job is at the heart of the community and the successful applicant will work with a team of 7 dynamic and dedicated parish councillors and support them in their efforts to improve the parish and the facilities.

The primary role of the Clerk is to provide administrative support. This includes agenda preparation, preparing for the monthly meetings, minute taking and also to advise the council on legal, personnel, planning and any other relevant matters.

The role of Responsible Financial Officer is to maintain the parish council’s accounts. This will require working with Excel spreadsheets.

Applicants will need to be computer literate, have access to the internet, be familiar with minute taking and knowledge of bookkeeping is desirable but not essential.

The council provides all computer equipment and telephone.

Training will be provided as well as a handover period with the current clerk.

If you require further information please contact the current clerk: parishclerk.appletonwitheaton@gmail.com or 01865 596272.

Qualities:

Essential

·         Computer literacy and experience including Word and Excel

·         Good office management skills

·         Self-reliant and self-motivated

·         Experience of handling confidential information

·         Able to attend evening meetings and demonstrate flexibility as required

·         Good written and oral communication skills, ability to minute meetings

·         5 GCSEs or equivalent A-C including Maths and English

Desirable:

·         Previous local government experience

·         Ability to understand the legal framework in which the parish council operates

·         Driving license, car owner and ability to travel

·         A recognised qualification in local government administration

How to apply

Please email a CV with details of relevant work experience and names of two references with a covering letter to the Parish Clerk: parishclerk.appletonwitheaton@gmail.com.

Deadline: 7^th September 2018

 Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, North Hinksey Parish Council, Oxford

Location: Office and/or home-based

Hours: 30 hours per week

£ salary (range) & other key benefits

NJC SCP grades 26 to 30, £23,866 to £27,358 pro rata

Local Government Pension Scheme

The Parish Council (NHPC) is seeking a new Clerk and a Responsible Financial Officer (RFO). The jobs are advertised as one as this is how the role is now filled and can be combined for the right candidate. A transition period will allow for a comprehensive handover of duties.

North Hinksey is a busy Parish situated immediately to the west of the city of Oxford, with a population of c.5000 people and growing. Near to the city but within in the Vale of White Horse District, most residents have a Botley address there is a strong sense of local community. There is an active Parish Council with 14 members.

The primary role of the Clerk is to provide administrative support for all NHPC activities and also to advise the council on legal, personnel, planning and any other relevant matters. This includes attending all Council and Committee meetings, so a significant amount of evening work will be necessary.  The role requires reporting and IT skills (primarily Word and Excel), a friendly, diplomatic, and resilient approach and excellent organisational and time-management skills. Experience within local government is important and a CiLCA qualification is desirable.

The role of Responsible Financial Officer (R.F.O.) is to provide support for the administration of all of the Council's financial affairs. This will require experience with financial / accounting systems, and a good working knowledge of Income and Expenditure, VAT and balance sheets.

More details and full job descriptions are available on the North Hinksey Parish Council website here http://www.northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/Core/North-Hinksey-PC/Pages/Staffing_Structure_Vacancies_2.aspx

Qualities

Essential

·         Computer literacy and experience including Word and Excel, plus financial / accounting systems

·         Proactive, self-motivated, with strong time-management skills

·         Experience of working in local government

·         Experience of handling confidential information

·         Able to attend meetings that usually take place in the evenings but also during the day at tim

·         Good written and oral communication skills, experience of minute-taking

·         Working knowledge of Income and Expenditure, VAT and balance sheets

·         5 GCSEs or equivalent A-C including Maths and English

Desirable

·         CiLCA qualification

·         Financial / accounting qualifications and work experience

How to apply

To apply send a CV and cover letter to David Kay, Chair of North Hinksey Parish Council, 17 Poplar Road, Botley, Oxford, OX2 9LA or email cllrdavidkay@hotmail.com

Deadline: 24^th August

Interview date: week beginning 10^th September

PARISH CLERK

Benson Parish Council is looking for a highly motivated individual with an interest in the local community to become its next Clerk to the Council.

Location: Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson OX106LZ

Hours: 25 per week

Salary Range: NJC scale SCP30 (currently £27,358 pro rata) subject to qualifications and experience. A workplace pension scheme is available.

Detail:

The role involves advising the Parish Councillors on procedural and legal matters, administration, agenda preparation, minute taking at meetings and supervision of the Parish Councils staff numbering 4.

Experience of local government or Parish Council work will be an advantage (but not essential) as will experience of dealing with the public, working as a team and managing efficient administrative practises. Good computer skills are essential.

The job will be based at Benson Parish Hall and will require some evening and very occasional weekend working.

Candidates will be expected to hold CILCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) or be prepared to study for the qualification and obtain it within 2 years. Training will be provided and funded.

Benson Parish is a busy and growing Parish with a current population of approximately 4700 in 1750 households, and an annual precept of £135,000. The Parish will expand by at least 400 more households in the next 3 years.

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

How to apply

Initially please contact clerk@bensonpc.org.uk for an application pack or telephone the office on 01491 825038

Deadline

7^th September

Interview date

September