Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer – West Down (North Devon)

West Down Parish Council is looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual to take on the role of Clerk to the Council and Responsible Finance Officer (RFO).

West Down is a small parish with a population of about 700. There are 8 Parish Councillors who normally meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.00pm in the Parish Hall.

The successful candidate will need to work from home. The Council will provide a laptop, printer and consumables.
The Clerk will be responsible for managing the day to day business of the Council, including the production of the agenda/minutes for all Council meetings, liaising with outside bodies as well as implementing Council decisions. The Clerk/RFO will also be responsible for all the financial transactions and records of the Council and the administration of its finances.

We are seeking someone with confidence, interpersonal and communication skills to deal with a wide range of people.
Prior experience of local government or committee work would be beneficial, but training and support in all aspects of the job will be provided. We work as a very supportive and friendly team.

Number of hours: 26 hrs per month (flexible schedule).

Salary Banding: In line with the National Association of Local Councils pay scale and dependent on
qualifications and experience.

Start Date: 1st August 2025 (some flexibility possible).

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter, including contact details, to the council Chairman on mike.reeves@westdownparishcouncil.org.uk

A full job description and Person Specification are available from the Chairman on request.

Closing Date for applications is 27th June 2025

Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Newton Poppleford and Harpford

Working Arrangement: Reporting to the Chair of the Parish Council, and in their absence to the Chair of the Policy & Personnel Committee. Your work will include some evening work. Core working hours and days to be agreed with the post holder.

The main purpose of the Job: To act as the Council’s Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer. Duties will also include work for the Newton Poppleford Playing Field Foundation, a Charity for which the Parish Council is sole Trustee.

As the Proper Officer of the Council the Parish Clerk is under a statutory duty to carry out the instructions of the Council and to serve or issue all the notifications required by law.

The Parish Clerk will 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 made by the council.

The person appointed will be responsible for the management of the council’s resources and will take the lead on the Council’s major projects. The Parish Clerk is accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required.

Requirements: The ideal candidate will be CILCA qualified or working towards the completion of CILCA and must have significant senior administrative experience and demonstrable financial acumen. They should also have a good legal knowledge of the statutory framework concerning the management and running of a Parish Council.

To apply: Please contact Cllr. Susan P Tribble (Chair) Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council,
22 Lower Farthings, Newton Poppleford EX10 0HE

Completed applications including a covering letter & CV should either be mailed to the above address or emailed to Cllr.tribble@newtonpopplefordandharpford-pc.gov.uk

Parish Clerk & RFO – Dunchideock Parish Council

Dunchideock Parish Council seeks a Parish Clerk/ RFO to support the small rural parish on the outskirts of Exeter, within the District of Teignbridge. The community has some 240 residents.

The council normally has 7 parish councillors, currently two casual vacancies.

The council meets every other month normally on the second Monday evening at 7:30pm. The Council does not currently have a Clerk.

Working flexibly from home along with evenings for meetings, the Clerk/RFO is responsible for managing the councils day-to-day business, providing advice and implementing decisions.

The Person specification requires a qualified Clerk with recognised qualification in local government administration such as CILCA, previous Local Government experience – minimum of 3 years, use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Publisher, IT skills to manage website and social media & have a flexible approach to working hours.

Working hours are 5 per week based on a salary of SCP14, or £14.21 / hour.

For full person specification, job description, application form or for any enquiries, please contact the Chairman, Dudley Swain on 07792 111456 or email dudleyswain@yahoo.co.uk