Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer - Lambourn Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent

Location:

Lambourn Parish Council Office

Salary:

Local Government Scale (SCP 24 – 32) £34,412 – £42,839 per annum pro rata with scale pending on employee’s qualifications

Hours:

30 hours per week some evening meeting attendance required

Our council and the role:

Lambourn Parish Council is a busy, proactive council. We are seeking a highly motivated individual to become our next Clerk, to assist the Council in making decisions and help lead us into the future. The successful candidate will need to be able to provide leadership, and build a wide range of positive relationships with Councillors, staff and partner organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

This is a real opportunity for an experienced and solution-focused manager, who has an eye for detail, and who will collaborate with Councillors to meet the aspirations of the people of Lambourn

Duties will include:

Ensure that all statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
Monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and, where appropriate, suggest modifications.
Managing Parish Council, Committee, and Parish meetings. • Prepare informative agendas for meetings of the Council, in consultation with appropriate Councillors.
Attend all meetings of the Full Council, take a formal Minute of the meeting and create an Action Log. Ensure that these actions are taken in advance of the following meeting.
Prepare, and agree with the Chairs, the agendas for committee meetings, but attend and minute only key meetings where the Clerk’s presence is required.
Issue notices and agendas for the Parish Council’s annual meeting and the Parish Meeting. Attend and minute these meetings and implement the decisions made that are agreed by the Council.
Support the Council in defining its vision and in establishing specific objectives, plans and timelines for projects, functions and services which benefit the community of Lambourn.
Bring forward draft policies and scheme proposals to reflect community needs.
Build and maintain a network of contacts and partners to influence and facilitate the achievement of the Council’s objectives.
Receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and, following known policy of the Council and in liaison with appropriate Councillors, respond on behalf of the Council.
Prepare a monthly summary of all significant incoming and outgoing correspondence for Council meetings.
Draft responses to third party consultation exercises.
Study reports and other data on Council’s activities and on matters bearing on those activities. Where appropriate, discuss such matters with administrators and specialists in particular fields and produce reports for circulation and discussion by the Council. Establish and maintain effective paper and electronic filing systems to record the business of the Parish Council in a recoverable format.
Maintain effective booking and fault-reporting systems to enable the public to access the services of partner organisations eg. CCTV for the Police, West Berkshire Council.
Place and manage orders for the purchase and supply of goods and services.
Work collaboratively with the Chairs of all relevant committees in the oversight of those elements of the Council’s business.
Ensure that the Council’s statutory obligations for the proper management of all Health and Safety matters are met; including the review of Council’s Health and Safety Policy and the preparation (and oversight) of Risk Assessments, where necessary, for the safe management of Council business and activities.
Monitor and balance the Council’s accounts and prepare records for audit and VAT purposes.
Ensure that correct financial records are kept and that internal checking regimes are established.
Receive and report on invoices for goods and services to be paid for by the Council and ensure that such accounts are settled within due timescales.
Issue invoices on behalf of the Council for goods and services and ensure payment is received.
Research and bring forward opportunities to apply for grants and members bids to support project aspirations.
Manage their own workload and that of all the council’s employees (currently 3) set their objectives in line with the Parish Council’s priorities and ensure appropriate delegation and balance of workload
Continue to develop and maintain the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council, and be an active member of appropriate professional bodies e.g. The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). •
Maintain records of employee hours, leave etc.
Supervise employees as their line manager, in keeping with the policies of the Council and undertake all necessary activities in connection with the management of salaries and conditions of employment. Agree job descriptions and annual work plans.
Manage the Parish Council’s website and ensure it is accurate and up to date
Identify items to post on the website and in Parish Newsletters.
Devise new ways to communicate with our community to find out their priorities and requirements.
Work cooperatively with the media to promote the role and a positive public perception of the Council.
Work with Councillors in the preparation of Press releases and other media engagement. Issue, and monitor outcomes from, all Press Releases and ensure that the Council’s legal responsibilities have been adhered to, the reputation of the Council is protected, and that there is consistency of style including branding.
Act as the representative or spokesperson of the Council as required.
Attend monthly evening meetings of the Council and occasional committees and other events as necessary.
Attend training courses, seminars and conferences as required by the Council
Carry out such other responsibilities and functions as shall from time to time be required by the Council.

The ideal candidate will have/be:

High level of numeracy and literacy. Degree level qualification or experience as a parish Clerk desirable.
Holds or willing to obtain the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) within 12-18 months of appointment.
Experience of providing administration support to a high standard and working collaboratively with a team.
Experience in managing projects to deliver required outcomes
Experience of using computerised systems Microsoft suite of products including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
Excellent administrative and organisational skills including ability to organise own work, meet strict deadlines, set priorities and self-motivate.
Able to produce reports on a range of subjects including analysis of numerical data
Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and confidentiality at all times.
Ability to manage and supervise staff.
Experience in financial management/budgeting and project management.
Ability to organise effective meetings and events
Ability to communicate in a clear confident manner
Ability to work well with members of the public and community leaders with tact and diplomacy
Ability to present to wide range of audiences
Ability to maintain good relationships with councillors, colleagues, contractors, and the public
Self-reliant and self-motivate
Ability to grow with the role and undertake training
Ability to consider the long-term consequences of Council decisions
Ability to be focused and take a wider view
Ability to have a calming influence in difficult situations but galvanise action when things are not happening
Able and willing to work specified and adhoc evening meetings as required.
Full driving licence and ability to travel around the Parish for work and related meeting and events or access to equivalent transport.
Can demonstrate flexibility as required.

How to find out more details:

A full role description, person specification and link to the application form can be found here https://lambourn-pc.gov.uk/could-you-be-the-clerk-to-lambourn-parish-council/

Closing date:

26th June 2026

How to apply:

Please send your completed application form to recruitment@lambourn-pc.gov.uk