Chilbolton Parish Council - Vacancy for Parish Clerk

Name of recruiting organisation

Chilbolton Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed role

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent role

Location:

Home working with attendance at evening meetings.  Meetings are generally held at Chilbolton Village Hall, Eastmans Field, Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Hampshire. SO20 6AT

Salary:

£13.47 per hour

Hours:

Part-time; circa 45 hours per month. Council meetings are held on weekday evenings; the actual number of hours does vary depending on workload.

Our council and the role:

Chilbolton Parish Council is based in the village of Chilbolton in the Test Valley, north of Stockbridge. Our village has a population of around 1,000 residents, and benefits from a village shop and a pub, as well as significant natural assets. CPC owns Chilbolton Cow Common, a SSSI, and also leases the West Down Nature Reserve from Hampshire County Council; these important open spaces are maintained and enhanced by the Parish Council with help from volunteers and grants from Natural England. Chilbolton is also a dynamic and forward-looking Parish which is working to develop smaller homes and social/affordable housing as part of an effort to rebalance the housing stock in the village.

The Parish Clerk is a vital first point of contact between the village community and the Parish Council. They also fulfil statutory duties as the Proper Officer of the Council, ensuring legal compliance and providing administrative support. This includes managing paperwork, preparing for meetings, implementing decisions and advising the Council on policy and financial matters.

Duties will include:

  • Legal Compliance: Ensuring the council adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to local government, data protection, and financial management.
  • Administrative Support: Handling correspondence, managing records, preparing agendas and minutes for meetings, and maintaining communication with the public.
  • Financial Management: Administering the council's finances, preparing accounts, managing budgets, and ensuring financial records are accurate and auditable.
  • Policy and Advice: Providing independent and objective advice to the council on policy matters, helping them make informed decisions.
  • Meeting Management: Organizing and managing council meetings, ensuring they are conducted effectively and within legal frameworks.
  • Public Engagement: Communicating with the public, responding to queries, and ensuring transparency in council operations.
  • Website Administration: Uploading documents to the Parish Council website and ensuring information is correct and up to date.

    The ideal candidate will have/be:

    Strong organizational and administrative skills, Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Proficiency in computer skills and relevant software, Understanding of local government processes and procedures, and Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations.

    What we offer you in return:

    1. Making a Difference:

    • Clerks can experience a sense of achievement and pride from seeing positive changes in the community and assisting residents.

    2. Diverse and Engaging Role:

    • The role is multifaceted, with responsibilities including administrative support, financial management, and event organisation.
    • Clerks act as the first point of contact for council members, residents, and other organisations. They play a vital role in ensuring the council's decisions are lawful and implemented effectively.

    3. Essential Skills Development:

    • Clerks develop expertise in financial management, legal compliance, and project implementation. They also learn to research, analyse, and present information to inform council decisions.

    4. Professional Growth:

    • Parish clerks can broaden their experience by working with committed volunteers.
    • The role can lead to opportunities for networking and professional development through training and events.
    • As the "engine" of the parish council, the clerk is a key figure in the local community.

    5. Community Focus:

    • Clerks play a crucial role in ensuring residents' needs are met and their preferences are considered. They contribute to the overall well-being of the community by managing amenities, supporting local projects, and helping to secure funding.

    How to find out more details:

    Please also contact us at the above address if you have any questions or want to know more about the role before applying.

    Closing date:

    We are looking to appoint a permanent replacement for our current Clerk as soon as possible, and would encourage applications up to the end of September 2025.

    How to apply:

    Applicants should provide a CV and Covering Letter setting out their relevant skills and experience to: CllrHudson.ChilboltonPC@gmail.com