NORFOLK PTS

Fincham is a small community situated between, Downham Market and Swaffham and consists of a just over 400 residents.

The Council currently has 8 seats filled by enthusiastic and hard-working Councillors with a wide range experience, and they are seeking a Clerk/RFO with the skills and experience to complement them and help them to deliver the best possible service to the community.

As the Clerk you will primarily be home based working, 6 hours per week averaged over the year. A flexible approach to time management is required. A laptop and printer are provided with reimbursement for home office and supplies provided. Salary will be on the NJC (local Government) pay scale at a point dependent on experience and qualifications within LC2, in line with the SLCC job evaluation guidelines. A pension scheme is available; all holiday and other entitlements and allowances are in line with the NALC model contract, and membership of the SLCC is supported.

The Full Council meets 6 times a year, bi-monthly. The meetings are currently scheduled for the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm and take place in the Memorial Hall.

The Council is responsible for the Nature Reserve, Garden Allotments, a small piece of land known as The Chalk Pit, SAM2 speed sign and other assets such as benches, waste bins and notice boards.

The ideal candidate will be qualified, or willing to undertake the CiLCA qualification once a satisfactory probationary period has been completed, an experienced RFO and will be self-motivated with excellent organisational, administration, and IT skills (inc MS 365/Office, Scribe and Wordpress website applications). You will also be articulate in written and verbal communications and be able to work cooperatively with councillors and the public. As the Data Controller you will be conversant with GDPR and the FOI Act 2000. You will enact the Council’s resolutions whilst also being able to work without direction, prioritising work and using your initiative alongside the scheme of delegation.

You will be expected to perform statutory duties and exercise a high level of public body governance; You will build relationships across all levels of local government and within the community.

As RFO you will have experience in, and be able to demonstrate, sound financial management and budget setting looking to the short to mid-term.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Organising and attending council meetings, preparing agendas and writing minutes.

• Maintaining the PC website.

• Managing a Gov.UK Council email system.

• Updating the village noticeboards.

• Maintaining/updating files and documents.

• Implementing the Council’s decisions.

• Undertaking continuous professional development.

• Guiding Councillors with professional development in their role.

• Attending to all correspondence including letters and emails.

• Distributing relevant information to Councillors.

• Being the first point of contact for the public.

• As the responsible Financial Officer, manage and report on the Parish Council’s finances, including monthly      reconciliation, annual budget preparation and quarterly budget monitoring reports, payment of invoices and prepare the accounts for annual audit using the Scribe accounting system. Payroll is outsourced.

• Preparing end of year accounts liaising with the internal auditor.

• Supporting Allotment Management, including invoicing.

• Acting as the Data Protection Controller for the Parish Council.

• Monitoring planning applications, decisions and appeals weekly and circulating them to the Council.

• Liaising with Borough and County Councillors and officers.

• Monitoring changes to legislation and advising the Council.

• Continuous improvement and championing best practice.

Please send your CV stating qualifications, work experience and the qualities and skills you would bring to the job with a short covering letter to the Chair of the Parish Council via the clerk at - finchampc@gmail.com.

Closing date for applications is Monday 9th of June 2025 with interview to be arranged at mutually convenient time and date in the following week. The successful candidate will be required to supply 2 references.