Hythe & Dibden Parish Council - Vacancy for a Clerk & RFO to the Council

Name of recruiting organisation

Hythe & Dibden Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed 

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent

Location:

Office based

Salary:

SCP scale 42 to 46 (£50,512 to £55,325) depending on qualifications and experience

Hours:

37 hour per week - full time

Our council and the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) to join our team. This is a senior role within our organisation and is the "Proper Officer" of the Council having responsibility for its financial and administrative affairs including the custody of Council documents and records.

The Parish, one of the largest in population terms in the New Forest District Council area, lies on the eastern boundary of the District. It is situated on the banks of Southampton Water and covers an area of approximately 6 square miles with a resident population of approximately 20,000. There are good travel links from the Hythe area with the M27 some 10 miles north providing direct access to the motorway network linking to London (77 miles), Birmingham (128 miles). The rail link from Southampton gives a 70 minute link to London. Southampton is a twelve minute ferry journey from Hythe Pier. Southampton and Bournemouth Airports are approximately a half hour's drive.

There are 13 elected Members, some of whom also represent the community at New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council

The Council has an adopted Neighborhood Plan. As part of its aims to improve the quality of life of residents the Council introduced a Police Accredited Community Safety Service just over 3 years ago.

One of the key challenges facing the Council is identifying ways to increase the economic viability of the Parish. More information can be found on the Council’s website www.hytheanddibden.gov.uk

Duties will include:

  • Overall administration of the Parish Council’s business – preparation of Agendas and papers for Council Meetings, production of accurate Minutes, dealing with correspondence, updating Council’s policies and advising Council of legal and good practice requirements. Accurately guiding and advising the Council in its statutory role as a local authority is of paramount importance.
  • Updating policies and procedures in line with current legislation and following advice from advisory bodies to the sector.
  • Setting meeting agendas and taking minutes for the Council.
  • Maintenance of accurate and up-to-date financial records of the Parish Council– placing orders, preparing invoices for payment, receiving and banking income and liaising with Internal and External Auditors and processing employees’ payroll.
  • Maintenance of Risk Management processes – monthly Risk Reviews and adequate Insurance Cover.
  • Responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out.
  • Implementation of the Council’s resolutions from the regular council and committee meetings.
  • Be under a statutory duty to carry out all of the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority's Proper Officer.
  • Update the Council’s website.
  • Dealing with correspondence by e-mail, post and publication of newsletters.
  • Advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Council’s activities and in particular to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions.
  • Accountable to the Council for the effective management of its 17 members of staff and associated resources and reporting on staff management issues as and when required.
  • The post-holder will act as the Clerk to two charities where the Council is the sole Trustee.

The ideal candidate will have/be:

You will have extensive experience in senior management and a financial background, and be able to evidence a wide variety of skills. Previous financial experience within local government is desirable.Previous Local Government/public centre experience is desirable and you will already hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) or be prepared to qualify within the first year of your employment.

Attendance at evening meetings will be a requirement.Committee and Council meetings are currently held on Wednesday evenings with working group meetings held as and when required in the evenings.

You will be based in the Parish Council Offices at The Grove in Hythe where free parking is available. You may also be required to be based in one of the Council’s other facilities from time to time. You will be entitled to 23 days annual leave per annum rising to 26 days after 5 years continuous service plus statutory public holidays. You will also be able to join the LGPS workplace pension scheme.

Essential

Desirable

Education / Qualifications and Training

• CiLCA qualification or be prepared to achieve within 12 months

• Maths GCSE or equivalent

• ECDL or equivalent demonstrable

Experience

• Significant and extensive experience in senior management and a financial background, with a wide variety of supporting skills.

• Proven experience in finance and budget control

• Experienced in using windows systems i.e. Outlook, Word and Excel, and use of Microsoft 365

• Extensive experience of strategic and operational management

• Previous financial experience within local government is desirable

• Office/Admin experience

• Experience of a customer service role

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Proven organisational, administrative, managerial, communication and IT skills

• Ability to work unsociable hours (e.g. evening meetings)

• Commitment to public service and community focus

• Knowledge and experience of how to develop and manage budgets

• Financial acumen

• Knowledge of relevant financial procedures and employment law

• Drive to move the Council’s services forward in challenging times

• Excellent leadership skills

• Knowledge of policy development in line with community needs

• Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities legislation and the ability to manage Equal Opportunities in the workplace.

• Ability to lead and gain buy-in from a diverse range of stakeholders including volunteers and staff

• Excellent communication, negotiating and interpersonal skills, building a rapport with a range of stakeholders

• Able to manage performance, set targets and objectives

• Able to deliver through partnership arrangements including through the charity and public sectors

• Experience of project management

• Able to identify business opportunities / projects and create comprehensive business cases

• Able to attend and travel to meetings where necessary

• Enthusiasm for delivering quality services to the community

• Willing to participate in all training relevant to the job role

• Understand the importance of excellent customer service and how to deliver this

• Ability to communicate in a written and oral form

• Awareness of the need for confidentiality

• Good interpersonal skills and respectful towards other people

• Flexible approach to work duties

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and on own initiative

• Good attention to detail

• Professional and presentable at all times

• Ability to present and behave in a professional and knowledgeable manner

• Ability to use own initiative and experience to seek solutions

• Open to new ideas, projects and concepts

• Works with tenacity and integrity in sometimes challenging political situations

• Knowledge of structure & working of three tier local authorities including concepts of localism

What we offer you in return:

Competitive salary, LGPS pension scheme, attractive Waterside location, free parking

How to find out more details:

For more information and a copy of full job description and person specification please contact: Sue Bailey telephone 023 8084 1411, or visit our website on www.hytheanddibden.gov.uk   Application form is on the website.

Closing date:

The closing date for applications is noon 30th May 2024.  Interviews will be held early/mid June 2024

How to apply:

Please complete the application form to apply and return to  recruitment@hytheanddibden.gov.uk