Parish Clerk

We need someone for this part-time post who, ideally, is experienced in the role or who has experience in the role of an office administrator and is willing to attend training.
We can offer up to 17.5 hrs/week with flexibility around office and home working. Attendance at the monthly Council meeting in the evening is required. Salary will be in line with the nationally agreed pay scale, based upon experience.
The Clerk is usually also the responsible financial officer (RFO), monitoring budgets and expenditure, advising the Council and preparing records for audit and the monthly Council meetings.
The council is also the sole trustee of the a recreation ground and pavilion, administered by the Clerk, and to make it more interesting for some time we have been trying to get a redevelopment project off the ground.
The Parish Council is the smallest and most localised tier of local government in the UK and is a properly constituted local authority. We cover the population of the historic village of Fen Ditton and the rapidly growing community of Marleigh which will have up to around 1,400 new homes and other facilities. These facilities include our recently opened office sited above the community centre in Marleigh overlooking the main square and next to the Coop, school and a cafe.
A parish council is typically the first port of call for queries, help and advice regarding local government and services. Some queries we deal with directly, others we can handle with other authorities on behalf of residents. Some responsibilities normally undertaken by local authorities are being retained by the developer at Marleigh so working closely with their estate management organisation will be a key part of the role.
If you are new to local government, your training will include coverage of the number of well documented, government regulations to be followed. Our more seasoned Councillors will support you.
The relationship with Councillors, who are volunteers, is a bit more complex. As you follow their direction as decided at meetings, outside the meetings you will be acting more as a manager. You will provide some supervision of work undertaken by contractors such as ground maintenance. You will need good team working skills and time management.
Job Advert Follows;
Hours; Part time up to 17.5h p/w (flexible)
Salary: in the range of £14.45-£16.02 per hour - dependent on qualifications and experience, within the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (E01-23 | 2023/24 Local government services pay agreement)
Location: Based in our new office above the Marleigh Community Centre, with some home working and site visits around the parish.
Holidays: 25 days, 8 bank holidays (pro rata)
Applicant: We are looking for a tech savvy, outgoing person who is highly self motivated, personable, enthusiastic, and able to help integrate our fast growing international community.
Knowledge of Local Government would be an advantage and a willingness to undertake any additional training if required. You will nee to be proficient in IT office applications and posting to our web site.
Duties: Preparing Agenda for all meetings, attending Council meetings mostly held on the first Tuesday of the month in the evening and recording the minutes. Advising the Council of its legal powers, responsibilities, standing orders and procedures. Circulating relevant correspondence received to councillors. Maintaining the office filing systems (electronic and filing cabinet) along with electronic backups. Producing monthly accounts (receipts and payments and bank reconciliation), VAT returns, along with a quarterly report of expenditure against the budget to precent at meetings. Preparing the annual budget for approval by the Council, producing the annual accounting statement and managing the annual audit process, dealing with outside auditors, managing the Parish Assets, updating policies in line with current legislation and liaising with
councillors, and parishioners. Supervision of contractors and managing service level agreements and payments.
The Parish Council made up of two wards, east/west, consists of eight councillors and is the sole trustee of the recreation ground, the clerk normally undertakes it’s administration.
Background; Fen Ditton parish is connected to the eastern part of Cambridge city, and until recently consisted of approx 350 houses. With the development of Marleigh, the area between Fen Ditton and the airport, it is growing rapidly, with up to an additional 1,400 homes being built. Included in this development is a primary school, a community hall, a sports pavilion and playing fields etc. Some responsibilities normally undertaken by local authorities are being retained by the developer of Marleigh so working closely with their estate management organisation will be a key part of the role.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be an integral part of a fast growing village and to have a positive impact on the local community.
To apply for the position please send you CV to;
v.farrar@fenditton-pc.gov.uk, or send by post to the council office. Full job description available on request, with more information on the
parish councils web site; fenditton-pc.gov.uk/