Sherfield English Parish Council - Vacancy for Clerk & RFO

Name of recruiting organisation 

Sherfield English Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed role

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent role

Location:

You will be based from home.
Attendance at evening meetings will be a requirement.  Committee and Council meetings are currently held on Wednesday evenings.


Salary:

Salary: Up to £15.50 per hour depending on qualifications and experience

Hours:

Hours:  12 hours per month

Our council and the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) to join our team. This is a senior role within our organisation and is the "Proper Officer" of the Council having responsibility for its financial and administrative affairs including the custody of Council documents and records. 

Sherfield English is a rural parish situated in the southwest of the Test Valley Borough on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border. It has no village centre and is essentially a collection of hamlets. The New Forest National Park lies just to the south. Sherfield English contains about 300 dwellings and many rural businesses. It covers an area of about 851 hectares and the population is about 600.

There are 7 elected and co-opted councilors and the annual precept is £12,000, currently. The council meets approximately six weekly and standalone planning meetings are held as required. The council has no physical assets.

Duties will include:

  • Overall administration of the Parish Council’s business – preparation of papers for Council Meetings, taking and production of accurate minutes, dealing with correspondence, monitoring Council’s policies and advising Councillors regarding legal and good practice requirements Guiding and advising the Council in its statutory role as a local authority.
  • Updating policies and procedures in line with current legislation and following advice from advisory bodies to the sector.
  • Setting meeting agendas and taking minutes for the Council.
  • Maintenance of accurate and up-to-date financial records of the Parish Council– placing orders, preparing invoices for payment, receiving and banking income and liaising with Internal and External Auditors and processing employees payroll
  • Maintenance of Risk Management processes – monthly Risk Reviews and adequate Insurance Cover
  • Responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out.
  • Implementation of the Council’s resolutions from 6 weekly full council meetings.
  • Be under a statutory duty to carry out all of the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority's Proper Officer.
  • Update the Council’s website
  • Dealing with correspondence by e-mail, post
  • Advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Council’s activities and in particular to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions.

    The ideal candidate will have/be:

    You will have a financial background and previous financial experience within local government is desirable.

    You are also required to have proven organisational, administrative, communication and IT skills, together with experience in finance and budget control.  You will need a commitment to public service and have community focus. Financial acumen will be essential as well as communication skills and the ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and on your own initiative.

    Previous Local Government/public sector experience is desirable and you will already hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) or be prepared to commence the course within the first 2 years of your employment.

    Attendance at evening meetings will be a requirement.  Committee and Council meetings are currently held on Wednesday evenings.

    You will be based from home. You will be entitled to 17 hours annual leave per annum plus statutory public holidays and sick leave along with any training required.

    What we offer you in return:

    For more information and a copy of full job description and person specification please contact: Sharon Nineham Sharon.nineham@hampshirealc.org.uk  

    How to find out more details:

    For more information and a copy of full job description and person specification please contact: Sharon Nineham Sharon.nineham@hampshirealc.org.uk  

    Closing date:

    The closing date for applications is Friday 5th September 2025

    Interviews will be held on Tuesday 16th September

    How to apply:

    Please send a CV and covering letter detailing why you are applying for the role and what your salary expectations are to Sharon.nineham@hampshirealc.org.uk