Seaton Valley Council A Community Council

APPLICATION PACK FOR DEPUTY CLERK

Seaton Valley

Seaton Valley is located in the south east of and is made up of five villages – , , Holywell, and . We have a population of approximately 15,000 and an electorate of just over 12,500. Seaton Valley is a mix of countryside, urban and coastal villages.

The Council

The council was formed in 2009 as a result of local government reorganisation in Northumberland to a new structure of a county council and over 150 local councils.

We have 9 councillors representing 3 wards. The next elections are in May 2013.

Application Process

The completed Council application form must be received by 5pm on Friday 9 November 2012.

You can either email your completed form to [email protected] or mail it to Seaton Valley Council, 26 Garden Terrace, , NE25 9LQ.

You must include in your application information which:

−• Sets out how you meet the person specification −• Gives clear examples of your previous achievements which link directly to the areas of responsibility in this post −• Demonstrates the qualities you would bring to the role of Deputy Clerk

Please do not submit a CV. The Council will only accept applications using their application form.

If you would like further information before submitting your application, please contact the Clerk to the Council, Carol Hodgson on (0191) 252 1021 for an informal discussion.

Selection Process

Candidates who are to be invited to interview will be notified by telephone by Friday 23 November 2012.

If you have not been contacted by Friday 23 November 2012 you can assume that your application has not been successful.

The interviews will take place on Monday 3 December 2012 in Seaton Delaval. The interview will be conducted by three councillors and the Clerk.

SVC/Deputy Clerk Application Pack – Oct 2012

Seaton Valley Council A Community Council

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Deputy Clerk

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Clerk of the Council

OBJECTIVE:

The Council strives to provide the communities of Seaton Valley with good quality services and to maintain these services to a high standard. The Deputy Clerk will undertake the delivery of some of these services.

JOB SUMMARY:

To actively promote and implement the Council’s policies and to support the administration and management of the Council’s services, projects and affairs. Responsible for delivery of services and website maintenance. The role will be responsible for developing and implementing effective engagement with local residents and other organisations to ensure that services meet their particular needs and priorities. To deputise and cover for all duties of the Clerk when s/he is absent from the office.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To liaise with the Clerk on a daily basis and to deputise for all duties of the Clerk when s/he is absent. 2. To administer some meetings of the Council and to maintain an accurate record of actions required by the Council and its committees, implementing appropriate actions to ensure that resolutions/recommendations are carried out in a timely manner in accordance with the policy decisions. 3. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Council’s allotment sites. 4. Responsible for the management of all the Councils facilities/assets namely street furniture, bus shelters, playgrounds and associated equipment 5. Responsible for ensuring the Council has in place a rigorous inspection and maintenance programme for all facilities as well as appropriate policies. 6. To carry out his/her duties with due regard to the smooth running of the Council’s affairs and civic duties. 7. Actively promote and administer the Council’s policies. 8. Responsibility for maintaining and updating the Council’s website and ensuring that all information is relevant and up-to-date. 9. Compiling and writing reports for committees along with recommendations. 10. Accountable for expenditure against allocated budgets and compliance with Council’s financial regulations. 11. To attend training courses as required by the Clerk and Council. 12. The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job description are indicative and may vary over time. The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post.

SVC/Deputy Clerk Application Pack – Oct 2012

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Close working relationships will be maintained with other members of staff, members of Seaton Valley Council, Northumberland County Council (as the principal authority), other local councils and statutory and non-statutory groups.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:

• Mainly based in the Council’s office in Seaton Delaval • Will involve travel throughout Seaton Valley and to a lesser extent within Northumberland and possibly further afield on occasion • Working patterns will be normal office hours but flexi-hours may apply if colleague provide cover. Some attendance at evening and weekend meetings. • Mainly working indoors but with some outside working, e.g. allotments

SVC/Deputy Clerk Application Pack – Oct 2012

Seaton Valley Council A Community Council

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Deputy Clerk

PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Experience Experience of working in local government  Experience of accounts and budget management involving sound  financial practice, procedures and systems Experience of designing and drafting policies and procedures  Experience in engaging effectively with others and building  productive partnerships Experience in managing projects to successfully achieve set  objectives Skills and competencies Knowledge of the work of local government  Ability to analyse and communicate financial information  Ability to allocate, coordinate, plan and prioritise own workload and  meet tight deadlines Commitment to accuracy and quality  Problem solving and decision making aptitude  Ability to use a computer and Microsoft Office Professional  programmes, email, internet and social media Excellent verbal and written communication skills  The ability to work on own initiative and suggest improvements to  organisational systems/procedures The ability to produce professional documentation, including  policies, reports and contracts Commitment to ensuring confidentiality is respected and Council  and legal guidelines are observed Ability to interpret legislation and communicate key aspects in a  user friendly way Maintains a professional demeanour in stressful and difficult  situations Be able to demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equal  opportunities and diversity and be able to carry out duties in accordance with those policies Qualifications and knowledge Degree level or equivalent standard of general education  Evidence of continued professional development  Personal attributes Pleasant, approachable disposition  Ability to cope under pressure and good mediator  Other factors Willingness to work evenings and some weekends when required  Full driving licence and access to an appropriately insured vehicle  on a daily basis

SVC/Deputy Clerk Application Pack – Oct 2012

SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Pay The salary range is within LC2, spinal column points 29-34 (currently £24,893 - £28,923) with an expectation that the successful applicant will be appointed at SCP 29. The Council will consider an annual incremental increase subject to satisfactory performance.

Contract The appointment is permanent and full time and is subject to the National Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of service of Local Council Clerks in and Wales 2004. There will be a six month probationary period.

Hours Whilst the basic working week is 37 hours per week, the postholder may be required to work reasonable additional or irregular hours as necessary, without additional payments being made, but time off in lieu is permitted. There may also be a requirement as part of the post to attend evening and/or weekends meetings or events.

Annual Leave 21 days per annum plus the statutory bank holidays (currently 8 pa).

Casual User Allowance The postholder is required to drive and provide a suitable car for official duties for which the NJC for LGS Casual Users Car Allowance rate will be paid. It is a condition of appointment that the postholder maintains a current driving licence and that they inform the Council immediately of any changes/endorsements. It is also the postholders responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is suitably insured for business use.

Pension The postholder will be eligible to join a pension scheme which the Council (as their employer) will contribute to. The type of pension scheme will be discussed with the successful applicant.

Political Restrictions Under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the postholder will be subject to political restrictions. The postholder will be expected to maintain political neutrality in relation to the work of the Council.

Criminal Convictions Failure to declare an unspent criminal conviction may lead to an appointment being terminated. The successful candidate must also disclose any subsequent conviction to the Chair of the Council.

Pre – Employment Checks Any offer of employment will be subject to two satisfactory references being received (one from the present or most recent employer) and a satisfactory medical check. Please note that the references may be taken up prior to interview.

Data Protection Act The information you provide on your application form is strictly confidential. It will only be seen by the interview panel. However, if you are offered employment with the Council it will be placed in your personnel file to which only the Clerk, Chair and Vice-Chair will normally have access. On leaving the Council the entire file, including the application form, will be held for an indefinite period in case we need to use it to provide a reference for you. If you are unsuccessful in your bid for employment your application form will be held for six months following your interview in case there are any queries and will then be permanently destroyed.

SVC/Deputy Clerk Application Pack – Oct 2012