Town Clerk

 

 

APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK

Burntwood Town Council is seeking to recruit a new Town Clerk.

This is a permanent full-time position that will include evening and weekend work.

Candidates will need to demonstrate a high level of professional skill and a good understanding of Local Government law and practice.

The Town Council is looking for an innovative and strategic thinker, with a strong partnership working background, who will be able to help the Town Council realise its ambitions for a Better Burntwood.

            They will need excellent leadership skills and ideally previous experience of working for a parish council.

Salary Range Spinal Column 37-41 [£40,876-£44,863] Casual User Car Allowance

This post is superannuable and the NJC Conditions of Services generally apply. Application forms with further details can be obtained by telephoning 01543 677166, emailing graham.hunt@burntwood-tc.gov.uk or writing to the Town Clerk, Burntwood Town Council, Old Mining College, Queen Street, Burntwood, WS7 4QH. You may also contact the above number for an informal discussion.

                         

Closing Date: 28 October 2021

 

TOWN CLERK JOB DESCRIPTION

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

1.   The Town Clerk is the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all its functions and to serve or issue all the notifications required by law. This will be achieved by:

 

1.1 ensuring that statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.

 

                        1.2 being the representative of the Council.

                        1.3 attending meetings of the Council as and when required.

1.4 ensuring that notices are published and agendas and minutes for the Town Meeting are prepared, and minutes issued in accordance with statutory requirements.

 

 

 

1.5 acting as the Council’s competent person for health and safety matters and to ensuring that relevant legislation and regulations are adhered to by the Council.

 

1.6 ensuring that the Council's obligations for effective Financial Risk Assessment are properly met and that the Council is fully insured.

 

     1.7 managing the Council’s records and information system and acting as Data Protection Manager to ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the proper maintenance of the Council’s publication scheme.

 

2. The Town Clerk will advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, policies and ensure that the Council is properly informed to make lawful and effective decisions. This will be achieved by:

 

2.1 advising the Council on reports, best practices guidelines and other data relating to the activities of the Council and wider issues in the town to help inform policy and strategy development.

 

2.2 developing and presenting to the Council options for new actions and initiatives.

           

3. The Town Clerk is responsible for ensuring that all instructions of the Council are carried out.             This will be achieved by;

 

            3.1 implementing and monitoring the approved policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result and where appropriate suggesting modifications.

 

4.  The Town Clerk is responsible for the efficient management of the Council’s administration and the utilization of its resources. This will be achieved by

 

4.1 managing all staff in line with their responsibilities and ensuring their development within their given roles.

 

 

 

4.2 ensuring that regular financial performance is reports are submitted to the Council in accordance with its Financial Regulations.

 

 

 

4.3 arranging for the annual internal and external audits to completed and reported to Council.

 

 

 

4.4 leading actions to maximise the use of the Old Mining College

 

5.  The Town Clerk will act as Lead Officer for developing strategic plans for Burntwood and for creating a strong supportive local partnership. Key actions will be:

            5.1 to lead and oversee the implementation of the Burntwood Town Strategy in accordance with the Council’s directions.

 

               5.2 To oversee the Neighbourhood Planning process in accordance with the Council’s directions.

 

6.  The Town Clerk will take a lead in facilitating community participation in local decision making and for developing and maintaining close links with the community and voluntary sectors. They will do this by;

 

            6.1 being responsible for the establishment and maintenance of stakeholder partnerships to support the delivery of the Council’s policies and strategies.

 

            6.2 developing and leading a community engagement strategy to improve communication with the public and community interest groups.

 

7.   The Town Clerk will lead on the development of initiatives and projects to assist local community action. The key action will be;

 

7.1 To develop and lead on a local action plan to deliver community initiatives and actions.

General

• The above conditions do not include or define all tasks which the jobholder may be required to carry out.

• To comply with Health & Safety legislation and be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the Council’s employees and the public.

 

 

• To serve the Town Council’s places of employment in a post of a similar nature and responsibility, if required.

 

 

• To comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Freedom of Information Act in respect of confidentiality and disclosure of data.

 

 

• The Town Council reserves the right to vary the content of the job description, after consultation, to reflect the changes to the job without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility.

 

 

• To lead on equality issues, valuing differences in staff members and respecting diversity within the community.

 

 

• To work under the direction of the Council.

 

 

• Where the successful candidate does not hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration this job offer is dependent on them undertaking an approved course of training and achieving the qualification within 1 year of the appointment. The Town Council will pay for the course registration and training.

BURNTWOOD TOWN COUNCIL

TOWN CLERK

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 

COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Regulation

Ensure that the Council complies with all statutory requirements and obligations

An understand the legal framework in which the council operates.

Able to give professional advice and information to elected Members and staff on the laws and regulations applying to Town Councils.

A working knowledge of health and safety legislation

Experience of premises management

 

 

Knowledge of cemetery legislation and management

Administration

Ensure the effective management of the Council

An understanding of the Local Government democratic processes

Practical experience of servicing council and

committees, including agenda preparation, report

writing and minute taking

A comprehensive knowledge of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

Experience of attending and servicing Council meetings.

Evidence of managing change and establishing new organisational structures.

Previous experience of working for a parish council.

Managing Self and Others

Ensure compliance with employment law and effective management of staff

Hold the ILCA (Introduction to Local Council Administration) qualification or be willing to undertake the necessary training.

 

 

Evidence of effective office and staff management.

Evidence of the ability to provide strong and robust leadership to motivate, lead and develop all employees.

Ability to create and maintain good morale, trust and confidence throughout the organisation.

Knowledge of current employment legislation

Good analytical and reasoning skills

A working experience in Microsoft Office, together with maintaining social media and website content management software

Project Management

Enabling the Council to achieve its objectives

Able to understand corporate goals and to work with elected Members and staff to deliver targets.

Demonstrate completion of tasks/projects to deadlines.

To conceive and recognise opportunities for service provision by the council in line with its objectives.

Evidence of previous project management experience and success.

Ability to manage and advise on direct services, i.e. premises management, parks and open spaces.

 

 

Partnership Working

Establishing an ongoing two-way dialogue with partners

Ability to demonstrate working partnership across all local government sectors and network across organisational boundaries.

 

 

Evidence of engagement in networking and partnerships.

 

 

Customer Service

Clear focus on delivering excellent customer service

A high level of interpersonal skills is required with good oral and written skills, communication skills, including an ability to relate to, and communicate with elected Members, staff, members of the public, media and other Local Authorities and external organisations

Evidence of identifying priorities and developing strategies and/or procedures to develop and improve customer service

Commitment to the delivery of quality service and empowering staff to take individual responsibility for ensuring consistently good customer care.

 

 

Other

Willing to work evenings and weekends as required.

Willing to undertake Continual Professional Development

Current full Driving Licence

Attend NALC, SLCC and other appropriate conferences, seminars and training courses