Notices

Clerk/ Finance Officer Stinchcombe Parish Council

Stinchcombe is a small, community-spirited, rural Parish situated largely on the escarpment between Berkeley Vale and the beginning of the Cotswolds, and is located between Cam and North Nibley.  With approximately 480 residents, there are 187 properties found in three main areas of the Village.  Most of the Parish is within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an important factor in residents’ decision to live there.

The Parish Council is looking to appoint a Clerk/Finance Officer for 2-3 hours a week to replace our current clerk on their retirement. The role would suit someone with an enthusiasm for local affairs who is interested in supporting the Council to build on its work and take Stinchcombe further forward. The successful candidate would ideally be a competent administrator with great communication and I.T skills, and have experience of preparing simple accounts and formal meeting agendas/minutes.

From April 2024 the hourly rate will be £12.50 – £14.50 per hour depending on experience.

The Parish Council would value receiving applications from people of all backgrounds. 

To be considered please e-mail your CV / outline of your qualifications, experience, skills and abilities relevant to the role, to the Chair of the Parish Council at dr.a.macfarlane@icloud.com by 5pm on Wednesday 27th March. 

Interviews are expected to be held on Tuesday 2nd April.

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Clerk to the Parish Council is also the Responsible Financial Officer and as such carries a statutory duty to carry out required administrative and governance functions for the Council including for financial affairs.

Main Duties

• To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
• To prepare, in consultation with the Chair, agendas for meetings, attend meetings and prepare minutes for approval.
• To receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council referring on matters for discussion by the Council.
• To act as a first point of contact for Parishioners and ensure correspondence and queries are acknowledged and followed up seeking advice from Council Members.
• To be the Responsible Financial Officer for the Council and prepare simple financial reports as required, pay invoices in a timely way and keep accurate financial records for audit purposes.
• Support colleagues to keep the Council website updated and informative for local residents.
• Research and source information and documentation to support Council Members to conduct Council business effectively.
• To act as a representative of the Council as required
• To attend required training to ensure that administrative duties and responsibilities are understood and continue to acquire knowledge required for the efficient management of Council affairs.

Essential Criteria for the Candidate

• Computer literate and confident in the use of email and Microsoft Office products ideally with some experience of updating websites
• Previous experience of taking formal minutes at meetings
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and in writing
• Experience of working with and responding to the public
• Interested in local affairs.

The Village Hall Committee will shortly have a vacancy for a Treasurer.

Following many years of loyal service by Sarah Tweed. Sarah is sadly stepping down due to other commitments and the desire to spend more time travelling. The vacancy will start at the AGM in November; however, we hope to get someone sooner to ‘learn the ropes’ before Sarah departs. Without belittling Sarah or understating the responsibility, the position is mainly keeping management accounts, online Banking and paying suppliers. Working alongside the Bookings officer and producing a summarised Cash flow report monthly. Qualifications are less important but an active role in account management is essential.

It is an unpaid position as with all the Committee who are also Trustees. We are a registered Charity, so an annual report has to be filed to the Charities Commission with the help of the Chairman. We hold around 8 meetings a year and we would expect the new Treasurer to attend most of these meetings. The Hall has been busier over the past few years and is entering an exciting period of improvements and updating to cater for the increasing demands and future needs of our Community. The successful candidate will have an important role and will have a part in its future success.

Apply in confidence for an informal chat to Charlie Oakhill (Chairman) charlieoakhill@hotmail.com