Oakham Town Council Clerk Stepping Down Vacancy Details
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN CLERK AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER (RFO)
VACANCY
Oakham Town Council are currently looking to recruit a Town Clerk and RFO. The
candidates must have relevant experience of working within local government and a
political environment, preferably as a Town Clerk and hold the Certificate in Local
Council Administration (CiLCA).
The Town Clerk’s responsibility is to advise the Council on its work ensuring
decisions are lawful and then managing the implementation of those decisions. The
Town Clerk takes instruction from the Town Council as a corporate body and is not
answerable to any individual Councillor. It is imperative that the Town Clerk remains,
always, independent, professional, and objective in all that they do.
The Town Clerk is the designated Responsible Finance Officer and the Proper
Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the
functions, and to serve or issue all the notifications required by law.
The Town 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, producing all the
information required for making effective decisions and to implement them
constructively at all times.
• Based in the Council offices at Rol House, Long Row, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6LN
• The hours of work each week are 37 hours, plus attendance at regular evening
Council meetings and some weekend events
• 21 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Salary Scale LC3 scale point 26 to 33, this is a full time equivalent of £30,451 -
£36,922, dependent upon qualifications and experience
Application is by a covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the position and
what you can bring to the Council, accompanied by a detailed CV.
Closing date: Friday 29th October at 5pm
For further information, please contact townclerk@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk or by
phoning for an informal chat on 01572 723627
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN CLERK/RFO JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Town Clerk / Responsible Financial Officer
GRADE: NJC Scale SCP 26-33 (£30,451 - £36,922)
HOURS OF WORK: 37 hours per and including evening and occasional weekend work to
attend meetings and other Council activities
RESPONSIBLE TO: Full Council
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Deputy Clerk
Summary:
• Provide strategic knowledge and support to the Council and Councillors and staff in
carrying out their duties.
• Work for the Councillors to realise the aspirations of the Town Council
• To ensure that there is always a high level of service delivery to the community and to
actively develop and promote the Town Council
• To be responsible for ensuring the safety of all public assets and property
1. Job Purpose- Town Clerk responsibilities
a) The Town Clerk will be “Proper Officer” of the Council as such is under a statutory
duty to carry out all the functions, and, in particular, to serve or issue all notifications
required by law of a Local Authority’s Proper Officer
b) The Town Clerk will be totally responsible for ensuring that the instruction of the
Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority is carried out
c) The post holder will advise the Council on and assist in the formation of overall
policies to be followed in respect of the Authority’s activities. In addition the postholder will be expected to take a lead role in ensuring, with members, that every
opportunity is taken to develop, promote and enhance the Town Council area of
Oakham
d) To attend meetings of the Council, its Committees and working groups, where
required, taking minutes, preparing, and circulating agendas, providing advice and
guidance as necessary
e) To ensure implementation of projects that Council has agreed
f) To monitor and implement policies of the Council, to ensure that they are achieving
the desired result, and where appropriate suggest modifications.
g) To attend, as directed and where thought appropriate, seminars, conferences, and
meetings relevant to the Council’s undertakings policies and projects
h) To represent the Council at meetings with other Local Authorities and other such
bodies where required
i) To attend relevant training courses approved by the Council and professional
conferences where applicable
j) To act as Strategic Manager, enabling the Council to maximise its potential in
obtaining information, grant aid etc. to ensure the carrying out of its policies.
Interpreting legislation and statutory instruments, to ensure that the Council keeps
within its legal obligations
k) To keep abreast of changes in Local Government legalisation and obligations
affecting Council, advising members accordingly
l) To ensure that all members are aware of their legal obligations as Councillors, and
to advise them when an interest is to be declared. All such obligations declared to
be entered in the appropriate “members interest book”
m) To act as the Officer with reference to The Freedom of Information Act and ensure
that the public are aware of what they are entitled to obtain under the Act’s
provisions
n) To provide appropriate reports and documentation for projects which the Council
designate from time to time
o) To carry out such other duties as the Town Council may designate from time to time
2. Responsible Finance Officer (RFO):
a) To act as the Council’s “Responsible Financial Officer”, where designated by
resolution of the Council, in accordance with the terms of the “Accounts & Audit
Regulations”, and to ensure that all financial responsibilities are carried out in
accordance with that legislation and any subsequent amendments, together with
current and past legislation governing these duties
b) To ensure that legal, statutory, and other provisions governing or affecting the
running of the Council are observed and to ensure that all payments, grants, etc. are
made legally and in accordance with regulation
c) To ensure that adequate internal check and audit systems are in place to monitor the
Council’s finances to avoid fraud
d) To ensure the provision of financial information to the full Council, including budget
preparations, monitoring of expenditure and provision of financial statements on a
regular basis
e) To ensure accounts and financial statements are prepared as required by regulation
for Government Audit and in accordance with statutory regulations
f) To ensure that all fees, rents, and other income due to the council are properly
collected, accounted for and banked
g) To monitor bank statements and other accounts ensuring that the Council’s
investments are protected in accordance with statutory obligation
h) To periodically review all rents and fees due to the Council
i) To arrange for the Council’s insurance obligations to be met and to monitor the same
to ensure that adequate cover is maintained
3. Human Resources
a) To undertake all personnel related functions, including ensuring payment of salaries
and wages, including the issue of “pay advises”, maintaining holiday and sickness
records and ensuring all employees are issued with a contract and statements of
particular job descriptions and relevant discipline and grievance procedures
b) To act as Line Manager to all staff employed by the Council determining work
programs and priorities
c) To ensure that all employees act in a manner which does not bring the Council into
disrepute
d) To carry out staff appraisals on an annual basis, reporting to the Council accordingly.
e) To carry out exit interviews with staff where appropriate
4. Health and Safety
a) To act as the Council’s Health and Safety Officer, ensuring all staff are adequately
trained and aware of procedures governing themselves, other staff members and
members of the public.
b) To keep accident records up to date and in accordance with current legislation.
c) To be responsible Officer under the amended Fire Regulations
5. Administration
a) To ensure that members of the public, contractors and visitors to the office/chamber
are greeted and assistance provided
b) To be responsible for the placing of orders for goods and services and to ensure
payments are made correctly and promptly
c) To keep up to date with Information Technology
The Council reserves the right to amend Job Descriptions. However, this is usually done in
consultation with employees.
Signed …………………………………….............................. Date ……………………………..
