Clerk & Financial Officer – Brancster Parish Council

Core Purpose: To ensure the lawful, efficient and transparent operation of Brancaster C Brancaster Staithe Parish Council by delivering essential governance, administration and financial management within a limited weekly time commitment.

Responsible to Full Council

Responsible for all Council staff, property and financial resources

Hours: 12hrs per week, home based (with attendance at Council meetings as required)

Salary: Starting salary at Spinal Column Point (SCP) 16–18 on the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services pay scale, depending on qualifications and experience, plus a £5.00 per hour Brancaster Weighting Allowance. Annual incremental progression and nationally agreed pay awards are applied in accordance with the NJC pay scale.

• Act as the Council’s Proper Officer, ensuring compliance with all statutory duties, Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
• Prepare and publish agendas, minutes and statutory notices; clerk all Council meetings (including monthly evening meetings).
• Implement Council decisions and maintain accurate records, policies and procedures.
• Provide procedural and governance advice to councillors, keeping up to date with relevant legislation.
• Manage councillor attendance records, casual vacancy processes and election-related requirements.
• Act as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer under the Local Government Act 1972.
• Prepare the annual budget, monitor income/expenditure and provide regular financial reports.
• Manage payments, receipts, payroll, pensions, VAT, bank reconciliation and financial controls.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements, transparency regulations and financial risk management.
• Maintain the asset register, inventories and insurance schedules.

• Handle correspondence, enquiries and statutory publications.
• Maintain the Council website and ensure statutory documents are published.
• Support public engagement, including press releases where required.

• Line-manage any council staff, ensuring compliance with employment law and council policies. (currently none)
• Oversee contracts, facilities and council assets at an appropriate level for a small parish.
• Ensure health & safety, data protection and risk assessments are maintained proportionately.

• Liaise with district/county councils, statutory bodies and local organisations on matters affecting the parish.
• Represent the Council at relevant meetings where necessary and proportionate.

• Undertake training required for the role, including working towards CiLCA if not already held.

• Strong administrative, organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prepare agendas, minutes and reports to a high standard.
• Understanding of basic bookkeeping, financial record-keeping and bank reconciliation.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
• High integrity, confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Willingness to attend evening meetings and work from home.
• CiLCA (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience in local council administration or finance.
• Knowledge of local government law, audit processes and transparency requirements.
• Experience maintaining websites or publishing statutory documents.
• Understanding of GDPR and information governance.

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 12 per week

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Brancaster/Brancster Staithe. The role is WFH with the exception of Parish Council Meetings – held in either Brancaster or Brancaster Staithe Village Hall.