Opportunities

The Town Clerk is the Proper Officer of the Council and is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions of the Council, and to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority’s Proper Officer.

The Town Clerk will be responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in its functions as a Local Authority are carried out. The Town Clerk is expected to advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Authority’s activities and to produce all the information required for making and implementing effective decisions. The Town Clerk is accountable to the Council for the effective management and reporting on its resources.

As senior administrative officer, the Town Clerk’s duties include organising and attending Council and committee meetings, taking and circulating minutes and agendas. Meetings are held in the early evening, so some flexibility over working hours is required.  Additional responsibilities include line management of three members of staff, monitoring and managing the Council’s estate, which comprises playing fields, cemeteries, allotments and the weekly Charter Market. The Clerk also deals with enquiries from residents, other authorities, suppliers and councillors, so good communication skills are essential.

This role does not include Responsible Financial Officer duties, as this function is sub contracted. Applicants must demonstrate significant managerial experience and ideally have the relevant knowledge of local government law and procedures and hold the CILCA qualification or if not held must be achieved within 12 months for which support will be provided.

The role is for 37 hours per week but flexibility for part time working, mainly office based. The closing date for applications is the 31^st August at 5.00pm, shortlisted applicants will be offered an initial interview week commencing 12^th September.

Please apply with a covering letter and CV by email to: [email protected]

Specific Responsibilities

1. To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
2. To work with other local authorities and organisations to both deliver the Council’s services
3. To ensure that the Council’s obligations for Risk Assessment are properly met and to act as The Council’s Health and Safety Officer.
4. To prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees. To attend meetings and prepare minutes for approval.
5. To receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and to deal with them or bring them to the attention of the Council.
6. To keep abreast of local initiatives for improvement or development in the town.
7. To be responsible for the overall supervision and management of town council staff in keeping with the policies of the Council. To ensure staff appraisals are carried out and contracts and job descriptions are updated as required.
8. To monitor and review annually the council’s policies in conjunction with members
9. To act as the representative of the Council and to manage the weekly Charter Market and civic events.
10. To issue notices and prepare agendas and minutes for the Annual Town Meeting: to attend the assemblies of the Annual Town Meeting and to implement the decisions made at the assemblies that are agreed by the Council.
11. To prepare, in consultation with relevant councillors, press releases about the activities of, or decisions made by the Council.
12. To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council.
13. To attend meetings, conferences of professional bodies, and other groups, as a representative of the Council as required and to report back.
14. To carry out any other reasonable duties that may be assigned by The Chair or by The Council and to maintain political neutrality in conducting the role of Town Clerk.
15. To manage complaints and Freedom of Information requests
16. To ensure compliance with the requirements of GDPR and the Equality Act.