Advertisement for the Position of Seascale Parish Council Clerk

Seascale Parish Council – Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer – Job Vacancy

Documents:
Covering Letter
Job Advertisement
Person Specification
Job Description

Seascale Parish Council is looking for an organised, proactive and experienced Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) to support our busy and engaged local authority. We would also consider applications from people with relevant local government experience and an understanding of the legislation, looking to move into their first role as a Clerk & RFO.

We look after a wide range of community assets – from the Sports Hall and Bowling Pavilion, to play areas, the car park and public toilets, as well as the library building managed through a local volunteer-run Library Link. Our location also gives us access to additional grant funding, meaning there’s always something varied and interesting on the horizon.

In this role you will be at the heart of the Council’s work, helping to manage our assets, volunteers and contractors, prepare agendas and minutes, and ensure legal inspections and financial controls are in place. You’ll take the lead on budgeting, financial reporting and grant applications, working confidently and independently, with strong organisational skills and comfort with Microsoft Office. While CiLCA qualification is desirable, it’s not essential for the right candidate.

The post is for 10 hours per week, primarily home-based, with attendance at Council meetings on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) and the occasional committee meeting. We offer a competitive hourly rate at SCP 18–23 (£16.35–£17.85), computer equipment provided, and 23 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro-rata).

If you’re looking for a flexible, varied role where your experience will be valued and your input will shape the future of a vibrant parish, please send your CV and covering letter to theclerk@seascaleparishcouncil.co.uk.

Closing date: 31st March 2026

The Job Description and Person Specification are on our website accessible by “googling” Seascale Parish Council. These can look a bit daunting as they are very comprehensive and use local government terminology. Don’t let that put you off as, although the role is currently vacant, we have a temporary clerk Mary Bradley, who will be happy to speak to you. You are also welcome to contact our chair, Lizzie Mawson. Both will respond to requests made by email on the above address.

Applications are via CV and covering letter and should be sent to the above email address by 31st March 2026.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Job Description – Clerk to the Council

10 hours per week (worked flexibly) SCP 18-23 (£16.35 – £17.85)

Overall Responsibilities

The Clerk to the Council will be the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and in particular to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority’s Proper Officer.

The Clerk will be totally 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 on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Authority’s activities and in particular to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions.

The Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer and responsible for all financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances.

The clerk will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required.

Specific Responsibilities

To understand the role of the clerk/RFO by referring to guidance on the CALC and NALC web sites, the standing orders, policies and procedures of Seascale Parish council, undertaking training and updates as required.
To ensure that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
To ensure the budget setting process is followed and ensure effective monitoring and reporting as to the balance, income and expenditure of the Council’s accounts and prepare records for audit purposes and VAT.
To ensure that the Council’s obligations for Risk Assessment and Risk Management are properly met.
To prepare, in consultation with appropriate members, agendas for meetings of the Council and Committees. To attend such meetings and prepare minutes for approval.
To attend all meetings of the Council and all meetings of its committees and ensure administration is in place for groups.
To 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.
To undertake the roles and responsibilities as outlined in the financial standing orders including tendering, contract management, financial management and reporting.
To be aware of grant opportunities, work with councillors to apply for these, managing the process, reporting and ensuring onward viability of any project.
To update the asset register on an annual basis, ensuring that there is a lead councillor for each group of assets and that an asset file for each asset is maintained.
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 supervise any other members of staff as their line manager if appointed, 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 contracted staff and responsible councillors understand reporting arrangements.
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 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.
To prepare, in consultation with the Chairman, press releases/social media posts about the activities of, or decisions of, 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: Suggested is membership of your professional body The Society of Local Council Clerks. And attendance at various events as notified.

Person Specification – Clerk to the Council

Factor	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications and experience	Experience which demonstrates high literacy and numeracy skills. Relevant organisational and administrative experience in a structured environment. Demonstrable experience of formal Committee work, agenda preparation and minute taking. Experience of budget setting, monitoring processes, controls and financial management reports. Experience of dealing with the public and working on own initiative.	Previous experience of working for local authority or similar body. Holds the Certificate in Local Council Administration or is prepared to work towards obtaining it on appointment within 1 year of commencement. Evidence of policy and strategy advice and development. Leadership and staff management experience. Successful implementation of equality and performance management systems. Project management experience.
Knowledge	Knowledge of local government responsibilities, system and procedures. Knowledge of the governance, operational and legal framework in which the Council operates including local authority planning procedures. Knowledge and understanding of importance of good public relations and how to raise the Council’s profile in the community. Knowledge of local area. Knowledge of employment and health and safety law and data protection. Knowledge of relevant accounting procedures.
Qualities and Attitudes	Self-reliant and self-motivated with the drive, determination and initiative to achieve results and motivate others with minimal supervision. Flexible, pro-active and hands on approach to tasks. Supportive – demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and staff in past employment. Trustworthy with confidential information. Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy. Community focussed. Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with staff, councillors, external bodies, contractors and the public. Commitment to the delivery of quality service. Demonstrable ability to work as part of a team. Enthusiastic with innovative qualities. Business perspective and acumen. Ability to interpret political drivers.	Ability and enthusiasm to adapt to change.
Skills and Abilities	Ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels both internally and externally. Excellent written and oral communication and presentational skills. Ability to form and maintain sound working relationships. Strategic level organisational and administrative skills. Formal agenda preparation and minute taking skills. Ability to produce understandable and concise written reports on complex topics. Ability to organise and prioritise own and others work. Be able to show ability to work in a logical manner and to strict deadlines. IT literate (Level 3 IT qualification or equivalent) with sound working knowledge of MS Office, Excel and Windows packages. Articulate speaker in public.	Ability to develop, implement and monitor effective systems and procedures. Management skills with ability to monitor performance of others to achieve targets and meet deadlines.
Special Conditions	Willingness to work and/or attend Committees and other meetings and functions in evenings. Prepared to work varied hours to meet the needs of the post. Willingness to undergo training to acquire relevant new skills or knowledge relevant to the job.