NORFOLK PTS

Marham is a community situated between Kings Lynn, Downham Market and Swaffham and consists of a medium size village incorporating the RAF Marham Community on its doorstep with a large development of privately owned ex-MOD housing within that area. A hive of activity, it is a well-serviced community and has a thriving social and recreational heartbeat. 

The Council currently has 10 (of 11) seats filled by enthusiastic and hard-working Councillors with a wide range of skills and experience, and they are seeking a Clerk/RFO with the qualifications, skills and experience to complement them and enhance their drive to deliver the best possible service to the community with a precept of c£58k, with aspirations of achieving Quality Council status. 

As the Clerk you will primarily be home based working, 18 hours per week averaged over the year, with an office in the village hall for storing records and working from as appropriate. A flexible approach to working hours and time management is required. A laptop is 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 10 times a year, with a recess in August and December, the meetings are currently scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm and take place in the village hall. The Council is responsible for a variety of facilities and functions, including the Village Hall (Clerk is the bookings manager using Scribe with a contracted Caretaker/Key Holder), the playing field and pavilion (hosting the thriving Shouldham Youth Football Club), a cemetery and closed churchyard, also allotments and a recently improved play park. There are exciting and ambitious plans underway to renovate and extend the village hall, refurbish the pavilion and improve the playing field. 

The ideal candidate will be CiLCA qualified or equivalent, an experienced RFO and will be self-motivated with excellent leadership, 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

•Village Hall and Playing Field bookings manager

•Burials Officer

•Implementing and maintaining a Gov.UK Council email system

•Updating the village noticeboards

•Maintaining/updating files and documents

•Implementing the Council’s decision

•Undertaking continuous professional development inc conferences and seminars

•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 both internal and external auditors

•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: parishclerk.marhampc@gmail.com 

Closing date for applications is 5th of May 2024 with interview to be arranged at a mutually convenient time and date in the following week. The successful candidate will be required to supply 2 references.