Job Description

The Clerk will be responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out. The Clerk is expected to advise the Council / assist in the formation of policies to be followed in respect of the Authority's activities and in particular to produce all information required for making effective decisions and to constructively implement all decisions. The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required. The Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer and has responsibility for all financial records of the Council and the prudent administration of its finances.

• To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
• To monitor and balance the Council's accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT.
• To ensure that all legal responsibilities of the Council are properly met.
• To prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees. To attend all meetings of the Council, its committees and sub-committees and prepare minutes for approval and to implement the decisions that are agreed by the Council.
• To receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council, and to deal appropriately with or bring such items to the attention of the Council. To issue correspondence as a result of instructions of, or the known policy, of the Council.
• To prepare specifications for goods and services, etc. to receive tenders and place contracts and be responsible for ongoing contracts.
• To receive and report on invoices for goods and services to be paid for by the Council and to ensure such accounts are met. To issue invoices on behalf of the Council for goods and services and to ensure payment is received.
• To study reports and other data on activities of the Council, and on matters bearing on those activities. Where appropriate, to discuss such matters with administrators and specialists in particular fields and to produce reports for circulation and discussion by the Council.
• To draw up, both on his/her own initiative and as a result of suggestions by Councillors, proposals for consideration by the Council and to advise on practicability and likely effects of specific courses of action.
• To monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggest modifications.
• To act as the representative of the Council as required.
• To prepare, in consultation with the Chairman, press releases about the activities of, or decisions of, the Council.
• To attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council.
• To work towards the achievement of the status of Qualified Clerk as a minimum requirement for effectiveness in the position of Clerk to the Council.
• To continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council: e.g. membership of your professional body The Society of Local Council Clerks.
• To ensure the Councils obligations in respect of risk management and insurance are met.
• To cover any other duties that may be required under national terms and conditions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities