Roade Parish Council

Roade Parish Council has an immediate vacancy for a Parish Clerk & RFO.

Roade is a large village in South with a current population of around 2,750; the current precept is £109,582. Situated 2 miles south of the M1 Junction 15, the village is located on the A508 between and , with good public transport links including hourly bus services to both. The village is vibrant and growing; it is home to The Secondary School, Roade Primary School, Nurseries and Pre-schools, Medical Centre, Post Office, a popular village pub and a variety of shops and businesses as well as over 40 clubs and societies. For all of these reasons, South Northants Council designates the village as ‘one of the 4 most sustainable villages in ’.

By the end of this year, some 400 new homes will have been built in the village leading to an influx of new residents, many with young families. In response to the changing demands, a neighbourhood Development Plan has recently been completed and adopted by SNC following a 95% ‘yes’ vote at the village Referendum in June of this year. As a result of the housing development, the Parish Council receives very considerable s.106 and CIL income and the nearby Roade Wind Farm also provides an annual payment of circa £10,000 from its Community Fund. The Secretary of State for Transport is shortly to determine a Planning Application for a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at M1 Junction 15. The proposal includes the provision of a by-pass for Roade, so there is the potential for further significant income.

Roade is at an important and exciting stage in its development. We are a big village with ambitious plans and the resources to deliver whilst remaining committed to making and keeping Roade a pleasant and safe environment in which to live and work. Supported by an active and engaged community, in excess of £300,000 has been spent this year on re-equipping the Recreation Ground and the Council is currently involved in the purchase from NCC of Roade Library, which will then become a Community Hub. Other ongoing projects involve the replacement of nearly 200 council-owned street lights and the provision of CCTV within the village.

The Parish Council, with its full complement of 13 Councillors is looking for a Clerk with the enthusiasm and ability to work with the Council in the development and delivery of those goals. You will not only be responsible for the administration of the business and finances of the Council, but will also be expected to play an important role in supporting and advising the Council, especially through the structural transition next April of Northamptonshire’s local government from 3 to 2 tiers and the opportunities that will present. As well as managing projects you will be liaising with key stakeholders, receiving and managing s.106 funding, obtaining and managing New Homes Bonus and other grants, land transfers, Roade Cemetery (training will be given if necessary) and much more. You will also be responsible for directing the work of the Village Technician. Ideally the successful candidate will be CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) qualified with a minimum of 1 years experience working for a local council but we are also keen to hear from applicants with other relevant experience, especially in the local government sector. The post offers a genuine development opportunity for someone with ambition who is seeking to gain or enhance their knowledge and skills in a busy parish council with a varied, interesting and challenging portfolio of work.

You must be computer literate, with good communication skills and ideally have a working knowledge of a computerised accounting package. Appropriate training and support will be provided as necessary and the Council will work with you to ensure a smooth transition. The post will involve some evening work, servicing the Council. The current hours of work are 28 hours per week but due to the growth of Roade these are under review, potentially increasing (by negotiation and agreement) up to 35 hours per week. The salary scale is LC2, SCP 22 – 23, so £26,317 - £26,999 (for 37 hours) equating to £13.68p - £14.03p per hour; an enhanced salary may be available for the right candidate and a pension scheme is available. The Parish Council has a modern, fully equipped office located at Roade Village Hall that you will be expected to work from, although the Council is open to discuss flexible working. If this sounds like you, then we would like to hear from you. For more information or an informal discussion regarding the post please contact Cllr John Marshall in the first instance on 07505 139832.

Your application should include a completed application form, downloadable from the Roade Parish Council website www.roadeparishcouncil.gov.uk together with your CV and a covering letter that should be sent to:

Clerk to Roade Parish Council (Private and Confidential) PO Box 847 Roade Northampton NN7 9AB or email: [email protected]

Closing date for applications: 11 October 2019