Chieveley Parish Council - Vacancy for a Parish Clerk / Responsible Finance Officer

Name of recruiting organisation

Chieveley Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed

Permanent role/Fixed term role 

Permanent

Location:

Home Based

Salary:

The salary will depend on experience and qualifications and will follow within the NALC/SLCC Agreement Salary Scales for 2024/25: SCP13-17 (£28,163 to £30,060 pa FTE) or for a CiLCA qualified candidate SCP18-23 (£30,559 to £33,366 pa FTE).  

Hours:

An average of 16 hours per week. This will vary as, for example, more time will be required immediately before monthly Council meetings.

Our council and the role:

Chieveley Parish is a rural parish situated close to the A34/M4 junction with a total population of 2,185 (2021 census) and communities in Chieveley, Curridge, Oare, and parts of Snelsmore. There are 9 Councillors and an annual precept of £35,000.

Duties will include:

  • To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed
  • To prepare, in consultation with appropriate Councillors, agendas and back-up papers for meetings of the Council and its Sub-Committees. To post agendas and notices on the Council’s website and all parish noticeboards.
  • To submit to West Berkshire Council comments on planning applications as agreed at Council meetings
  • To monitor, manage and balance the Council's accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT.  Operate the payroll including PAYE, HMRC and Pension returns. Produce financial reports for meetings of Council.
  • To obtain quotes and instruct suppliers/contractors as per the Council’s Financial Regulations.  To receive and report on invoices for goods and services to be paid for by the Council and to ensure such accounts are met.
  • Receive and deal with Parish Council correspondence, liaising with relevant members of the Council, as appropriate.
  • Prepare and maintain the Council’s policies and procedures for publication on the Council’s website.
  • Other administrative duties in support of the Council’s business

The ideal candidate will have/be:

  • Be educated to at least A-level standard or equivalent
  • Hold a relevant professional qualification (eg CiLCA), or working towards a qualification, orbe willing to embark on training leading to a recognised qualification
  • Have relevant experience for the role of Parish Clerk and RFO

    • A good knowledge of local government organisation and procedures is essential.

    The ability to multi-task and effectively organise and prioritise are also essential skills. Tact, diplomacy and patience are required to deal with queries and enquiries either by telephone or in writing and occasionally face-to-face. A confident and mature manner is essential together with an ability to work on one’s own initiative.

    A high standard of literacy and numeracy together with well-developed IT skills to cover as a minimum email, Word and Excel. Some experience of managing content on a local website is desirable.

    Flexibility is essential as there is some evening work – there is at least one evening meeting per month which the Clerk is required to attend. It is also essential to be able to drive and to have your own transport.

What we offer you in return:

Flexibility: other than attendance at meetings, the Clerk can manage the workload to suit personal and family responsibilities.

A varied and interesting range of work and an opportunity to make a difference to the services available to residents in the Parish.

How to find out more details and apply:

A job description and person specification can be obtained by emailing: chieveley.pc@outlook.com

Please send a covering letter describing how you will fit the requirements of the role and a CV with two references to chieveley.pc@outlook.com. Applications without a covering letter will not be accepted.

Interviews will be held during the week beginning 14 March 2025. Those not selected for interview will be notified.

Closing date:

31st March 2025