Wingate Parish Council

Clerk to the Council and Responsible Financial Officer

 

Salary (Depending on Experience): NJC LC2 SCP 23–25, £34,434 to £36,363 (Full Time Equivalent) Part Time Role based on 16 hours/week with a salary paid on a pro rate basis.  (The salary is subject to a national pay award which has not yet been finalised).

Working from home allowance and IT equipment Some evening meetings and occasional events required. Flexible Working Considered.

Wingate Parish Council is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and proactive community-minded individual to take on the role of Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer due to the forthcoming retirement of its current Clerk. This is a pivotal leadership position with the postholder being responsible for providing advice and support to Members of the Parish Council, undertaking administration relating to the Council, managing its finances and helping deliver local projects that make a difference in the community.

The postholder will undertake the duties and responsibilities of Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer as determined by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

This is a part time role based on 16 hours per week.

There will be a 6 months probationary period including a comprehensive handover from the current clerk.

The successful applicant will be an excellent communicator, have sound administrative, IT and financial skills, and be committed to public service. Experience in local government administration and finance is desirable but not essential. Training will be provided, including the potential support to gain the CiLCA qualification if required.

Some evening meetings will be required as will the potential for attendance at meetings or events outside of normal working hours including weekends.

Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 3^rd August 2026.

 

CVs together with a covering letter in support of an application should be sent by email to: wingateparish@gmail.com

Applicants should outline any dates during August when they would be unable to attend an interview.

Further information and advice relating to the post can be obtained by contacting the current Clerk as follows:

Landline: 0191 5272582

Mobile: 07739709985

Email: wingateparish@gmail.com

Web: wingateparish.gov.uk

Wingate Parish Council is an equal opportunities employer.

 

WINGATE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Role of the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to the Parish Council.

Job Description

Post Title: Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.

Salary Scale: NJC LC2 Scale SCP 23-25 ££34,434 to £36,363 Full Time Equivalent) dependent on experience).

Hours: Part Time, 16 hours per week (Flexible working considered) Monthly evening meetings and occasional events required.

Location: Home based (with potential for hybrid working).

Contract Type: Permanent, subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Reports to: Chair of the Parish Council.

Terms & Conditions

• Salary (Depending on experience): NJC LC2 SCP 23-25 (£34,434 to £36,363 (FTE).
• Working Week: 16 hours/week (including evening meetings and occasional events).
• Probation: 6-months, including comprehensive handover from current clerk and
• Leave Entitlement: 23 days pro rata (increasing with service) + statutory
• Pension: Durham County Council Local Government Pension
• Training: Full support to achieve CiLCA and other
• Flexible Working: Considered, including phased job share for right candidate(s).

Overall Responsibilities

The Clerk to the Council will be the Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer as outlined by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Clerk will provide information and guidance to the Parish Council to aid its decision making processes ensuring it acts within the law.   A key function of the role will be to advise on the practical, legal and procedural nature of discussions and decisions of the Parish Council and any issues that may arise.  The Clerk will formulate and issue agendas for meetings and will carry out actions arising from Parish Council meetings and implement decisions made.  The Clerk will be the Parish Council’s point of contact and will send and receive correspondence.

The Clerk will be expected to advise and assist the Parish Council in the formation and implementation of its policies and procedures and to produce information and guidance to aid decision making.

A Responsible Financial Officer the Clerk will be responsible for ensuring that the Parish Council’s finances are managed legally transparently and efficiently in accordance with statutory requirements as well as the Parish Council’s own policies and procedures.  This will include submitting vat returns  both internal and external audits of the Parish Council’s annual accounts.

Clerk to the Council- Core Duties

• Advise Council on legal and procedural
• Ensure compliance with local government law and
• Maintain the Parish Council’s financial accounts and prepare annual budget/precept.
• Lead community engagement
• Maximise external funding and partnership
• Prepare for and attend
• Act as line manager to the Council’s
• Maintain digital and physical records in compliance with

Proper Officer of the Council- Specific Responsibilities

• To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are
• To ensure that the Parish Council’s obligations in managing risk are appropriately
• To prepare and issue agendas for meetings of the Parish Council and any Committees or working groups
• To attend Parish Council meetings and prepare minutes for
• To send and receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Parish Council and to deal with the correspondence or documents accordingly including brining matters to the attention of the Parish Council.
• To prepare reports and/or other information to aid the Parish Council in its decision making processes.
• To undertake all of the general administration of the Parish Council.
• To draw up both on his/her own initiative and as a result of suggestions by Councilor’s proposals for consideration by the Council and to advise on practicability and likely effects of specific courses of action.
• To supervise any other members of staff as their line manager in keeping with the policies of the Parish Council and to undertake all necessary activities in connection with the management of salaries, conditions of employment and work of other staff.
• To monitor the implemented policies of the Parish Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggest modifications.
• To act as the representative of the Parish Council at meetings and events.
• To issue notices and prepare agendas and minutes for Parish Council Meetings.
• To prepare social media and press releases etc about the activities and/or , or decisions of the Parish Council.
• To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Parish
• To continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council including membership of your professional body The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). (where applicable).

Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) – Specific Responsibilities

The primary purpose of the RFO’s role is to ensure that the council’s finances are managed legally, transparently, and efficiently, in accordance with proper practices and statutory requirements.  The RFO’s basis in statute is under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972. This law mandates that every local authority, including Parish Councils, must designate an officer to be responsible for the proper administration of its financial affairs.

Statutory duties of the RFO are:

1 Ensuring proper financial administration (Section 151, Local Government Act 1972) to ensure the parish council operates within its legal financial framework.

2 Preparation of accounts for audit and public inspection as per the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. This includes submitting the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).

Normal day to day activities include but are not limited to:

• financial management and record-keeping.
• manage the council’s bank accounts, cash flow, and financial assets
• budge/precept preparation and monitoring.
• assisting the preparation of an annual budget.
• monitoring the budget to ensure the council stays within its financial limits
• providing financial reports to the council.
• ensuring legal compliance.
• Submitting vat returns
• submitting annual financial returns to the external auditor and ensuring that proper financial governance is in place.
• advising on financial decisions.
• advising on financial matters, including implications of spending decisions and the financial risks associated with projects or policies.
• internal and external auditing.
• ensuring transparency and accountability.

 

WINGATE PARISH COUNCIL EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

LEGAL POSITION

It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual on the following grounds:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

Under the Equality Act 2010 these are known as “protected characteristics”.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide equal opportunities to all employees, irrespective of their characteristics (unless there are genuine occupational qualifications or objectively justified reasons for a different approach to be taken). We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination whether it be direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010.

SCOPE

All employees whether full-time, part-time, fixed term contract, agency workers or temporary staff, will be treated fairly and equally. Selection for employment, promotion, training, remuneration or any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the workforce will be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the council.

OUR COMMITMENT

 Every employee is entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated. This is further defined in the Dignity at Work policy adopted by the council.

The commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace is good management practice and makes sound business sense as it seeks to utilise the talents available from the local community, representing Society as a whole.

Breaches of our equal opportunities policy will be regarded as serious misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings. Employees are entitled to complain about discrimination or harassment or victimisation through the council’s Grievance procedure.

 

This policy is fully supported by all Members of the Parish Council.