Clerk & RFO - Witley & Milford Parish Council

Witley & Milford Parish Council

Employed role

Permanent role

Location:

Hybrid - between home working and in person in office which is based at Milford Village Hall, Portsmouth Road, Milford, Surrey, GU8 5DS

Salary:

SCP 33 – 37 £44,075 - £48,226 

Hours:

37 hours per week, attendance at evening meetings required.

Our council and the role:

Witley & Milford Parish Council seeks an aspiring and proactive manager to lead the Council into the future. The successful candidate will share our commitment to community service, provide leadership to our excellent staff team and build a wide range of positive relationships with Councillors, staff and partner organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

This is a real opportunity for an individual with a demonstrable track record of sound managerial, communication and organisational skills.  This role will require strategic thinking, adaptability and readiness to evolve as the local government landscape develops.  We seek a proactive individual who will prepare for emerging challenges and opportunities whilst safeguarding the Council’s strong governance and financial stewardship.

Witley & Milford Parish Council provides a wide range of quality services including playgrounds, recreation and sports facilities, open spaces, allotments, a cemetery and churchyard.

You may be an experienced Clerk or Deputy Clerk holding the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA). Or, you may instead have a successful background  in the private/voluntary sectors or elsewhere in local government and be prepared to qualify  as a Clerk.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed by Staff and Councillors.
  • Ensure that the Council's obligations for Risk Management and Assessment are properly met. 
  • Prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees.  To attend such meetings and prepare minutes for approval, other than where such duties have been delegated to another Officer.
  • Attend all meetings of the Council and all meetings of its committees and sub-committees, other than where such duties have been delegated to another Officer.
  • Receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and to deal with the correspondence or documents 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.
  • 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.
  • Draw up, both on their 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.
  • Manage any other members of staff as their line manager in keeping with the policies of the Council and to undertake all necessary activities in connection with the management of salaries, conditions of employment and work of other staff.  To ensure staff carry out their duties in an effective way and to undertake annual appraisals.
  • Monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate to suggest modifications.
  • Manage the Council’s website.
  • Lead on the production of the Council’s biannual newsletter and annual Community Directory.
  • Act as the representative of the Council as required.
  • Liaise and build strong relationships with local area councillors, Government organisations, statutory and voluntary agencies and the local press.  Seek to promote the work of the Council through such communications.
  • Issue notices and prepare agendas and minutes for the Parish Meeting:  to attend the assemblies of the Parish Meeting and to implement the decisions made at the assemblies that are agreed by the Council.
  • Prepare, in consultation with the Chairman, press releases about the activities or decisions of the Council.
  • Continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council  and attend training courses or seminars on the work and role of the Clerk as required by the Council.
  • Supervise, monitor and review all aspects of  the Council’s procurement. 
  • 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
  • Maintain the Council’s accounting records accurately using Scribe software.
  • Working with Councillors, prepare annual budgets for all committees and Council, and make recommendations to Council for the amount to be precepted in the following year 
  • Prepare budget monitoring reports for presentation to Committees and Council, together with explanations of major variances.
  • Prepare the Council’s annual Financial Statements in accordance with applicable legislation and guidelines.
  • Make the Financial Statements available to Council’s internal and external auditors; provide such working papers, explanations and information as the auditors may require to carry out their duties..
  • Monitor all Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts and expenditure and prepare the annual return in accordance with the CIL regulations.
  • Internal Control: Review and monitor the Council’s systems and ensure that proper checks and controls are in place. Prepare the annual Statement of Internal Control and eek the Council’s approval of such statement annually
  • Make quarterly VAT claims and review the Council’s VAT status as required.
  • Review investments periodically and make recommendations to Council.
  • Ensure the monthly calculation of wages and salaries is submitted to external payroll provider who will provide PAYE/NI calculations, payslips and HMRC returns. Monitor the LGPS pension and submit monthly and annual pension returns
  • Ensure the Council has proper advice regarding insurance and that appropriate insurance arrangements are made.
  • Work towards the achievement of the status of Qualified Clerk as a minimum requirement for effectiveness in the position of Clerk and thereafter continue to acquire the necessary professional knowledge required for the efficient management of the affairs of the Council.

    The ideal candidate will have/be:

    Competency

    Essential

    Desirable

    Education, professional qualifications and training
    • Certificate in Local Council Administration or the willingness to obtain it.
    • Educated to A Level or equivalent.
    • Pass in English/Maths to a minimum of GCSE level or equivalent
    • Degree level or equivalent alternative experience.
    • Appropriate management, administration or professional qualification.
    • Health and Safety qualifications.
    • Recognised financial qualification

    Skills and knowledge
    • Ability to provide leadership and to motivate and manage staff.
    • Ability to prioritise work, set targets, achieve positive outcomes and delegate effectively.
    • Policy analysis skills and the ability to address and resolve complex issues.
    • Ability to gain and retain the confidence of Councillors, local Community representatives, and outside organisations.
    • Ability to encourage collaborative working between councillors and other stakeholders.
    • High level of literacy and numeracy.
    • Excellent organisational and prioritising skills.
    • Ability to communicate effectively, orally, in writing and electronically.
    • Ability to communicate well with all sectors of the community with diplomacy and in the best interests of the Council.
    • Local knowledge of the Parish.
    • A good understanding of Local Government structure, functions, responsibilities and procedures.
    • Demonstrable understanding of the legal requirements affecting local councils.
    • Knowledge of current employment legislation.
    • Knowledge of computer accounting software.

    Experience
    • Administration Experience.
    • Practical experience of servicing committees and report writing.
    • Experience of land management.
    • Good working knowledge of IT systems and Microsoft Office.
    • Experience of managing and setting a significant budget, understanding of budget control, and of financial analysis and process.
    • Previous experience as a parish clerk.
    • Experience of working in a political environment.
    • Experience of internal and external audit processes.
    • Experience of contract management.
    • Experience and understanding of burials, allotment and planning legislation.
    • Experience of bidding for external funds.
    • Practical experience in updating websites and social media.

    What we offer you in return:

    Competitive salary, LGPS pension, flexible working.

    How to find out more details:

    A recruitment pack and job application form can be downloaded below. For further information or an informal discussion, please contact the locum Clerk Louise Steele on 01483 422044 or email clerk@witley-pc.gov.uk

    Recruitment Pack

    Application Form

    Closing date:

    12 noon on Monday 2nd March 2026

    How to apply:

    Please complete the application form