Introduction: We are a small but proactive Council with a strong emphasis on community engagement. We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to take on the role of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer from the end of September 2026. A handover period is planned.
Core Purpose: To ensure the lawful and efficient operation of the Parish Council by delivering governance, administration and financial management support.
Responsible to Full Council
Responsible for all property, records and financial resources
Hours: Expected to average 2hrs per week, working from home but including attendance at Council meetings (currently we meet at the Reading Room in Ingworth for an evening meeting quarterly in February, May, August and November). Occasional extra meetings maybe arranged in order to respond to urgent matters if necessary.
Salary to be agreed, depending on qualifications and experience, within the National Joint Council for Local Government scale 18 – 20 (currently £16.35 to £16.90/hour).
Key Responsibilities
1. Governance and Council Administration
- Act as the Council’s Proper Officer, ensuring compliance with all statutory duties, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
- Prepare and publish agendas, minutes and statutory notices; attend and record Council meetings.
- Implement Council decisions and maintain accurate records and policies.
- Provide procedural and governance advice to councillors, keeping up to date with relevant legislation.
- Manage councillor attendance records and election-related requirements.
- Monitoring relevant planning applications and submitting responses.
2. Financial Management
- Act as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer under the Local Government Act 1972.
- Prepare the annual budget, monitor income/expenditure and provide regular financial reports.
- Manage payments, receipts, VAT, bank reconciliation and financial controls
- Manage PAYE (Basic Tools) complying with Pension Regulator requirements
- Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements, transparency regulations and financial risk management.
- Maintain the asset register, inventories and insurance schedules.
3. Communication and Public Information
- Handle correspondence, enquiries and statutory publications
- Maintain the Council website and ensure statutory documents are published.
- Act as Data Protection Officer with an understanding of Data Protection Regulations and Freedom of Information.
- Support public engagement
- Liaise with district/county councils, statutory bodies and local organisations.
4. Resource Management
- Oversee contracts, facilities and council assets for a small parish.
- Ensure health & safety, data protection and risk assessments are maintained.
Person Specification for Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
Essential
- Strong administrative, organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage workload and meet deadlines.
- Competent IT skills (Microsoft Office, email, online document management).
- Ability to prepare agendas, minutes and reports to a high standard.
- Understanding of basic bookkeeping and bank reconciliation.
- Ability to interpret policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
- High integrity, confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Willingness to attend evening meetings and work from home
- Undertake training required for the role
Desirable
- Experience in local council administration or finance.
- Knowledge of local government law, audit and transparency requirements.
- Experience maintaining websites or publishing statutory documents.
- Understanding of GDPR and information governance.
If you are interested in this role and would like an application form or for an informal chat please contact the current Clerk, Colin Studholme – telephone 07756 287290, email:clerk@ingworthparishcouncil.gov.uk. Alternatively contact the Chair of the Council, Ian Sims – telephone 07910 073714.
Closing date for applications – 21 August 2026
