Parish & Town Council Support Officer (& Interim Principal Officer)

Staffordshire County Council; Stafford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Professional support and training

Flexible schedule and community impact

Job summary

Staffordshire Parish Councils' Association seeks a senior leader to drive the creation of a new Stafford Town Council and support existing parish structures. You will work with SPCA, the Borough Council and elected members to ensure governance, compliance and readiness from Day One.

Role involves shaping standing orders, financial regulations, and staff handover to the Town Clerk/RFO, with hybrid working and potential extension beyond two years.

Qualifications

• Experience in local government, town/parish councils or equivalent public sector settings.
• Strong governance knowledge and statutory responsibilities.
• Experience developing policies, standing orders and financial regulations.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to support elected members and committees effectively.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the practical establishment of the new Stafford Town Council and shadow council arrangements.
• Develop governance frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Prepare Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and constitutional documents.
• Establish banking, insurance, financial systems and operational processes.
• Coordinate creation of the council website, domain and email systems.
• Assist with budgeting and precept planning.
• Organise meetings, prepare agendas/reports and support councillor induction.
• Lead recruitment and handover to the permanent Town Clerk/RFO.
• Provide governance advice and produce regular stakeholder reports.

Skills

Local government experience

Governance knowledge

Policy development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Independent working

Driving licence

Education

CiLCA qualification

Public sector governance qualification

Job description

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in the creation and establishment of new Town Councils in Staffordshire, as well as supporting existing parish and town councils across Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Parish Councils' Association (SPCA) has been commissioned to support the development and launch of the new town councils. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated person to lead this project. They will guide the project from inception through to implementation and assist with the recruitment of a Clerk/RFO for any created town council.

Working alongside Staffordshire’s Borough Council, elected members and SPCA's leadership team, you will ensure the new council is fully prepared, legally compliant and operational from Day One.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new local authority, build its governance framework and make a lasting contribution to local democracy.

Your role will also include working with the SPCA team to support and respond to the needs and queries of Staffordshire Parish Councils.

About the Role

Reporting to the SPCA CEO, you will provide professional leadership throughout the council creation process and the early months of operation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the practical establishment of the new Stafford Town Council. Supporting Shadow Council arrangements and preparations.
• Developing governance frameworks, policies and procedures.
• Preparing Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other constitutional documents. Establishing banking, insurance, financial systems and operational processes.
• Coordinating the creation of the council's website, domain and email systems.
• Assisting with budgeting and precept planning.
• Organising council meetings and preparing agendas and reports. Supporting councillor induction and training programmes.
• Leading the recruitment and handover to the permanent Principal Officer (Town Clerk/RFO).
• Providing professional governance and compliance advice throughout the project.
• Producing regular reports and updates for stakeholders.

When the project concludes, you can apply for the newly created Town Clerk / RFO roles or continue with the SPCA in the advice team supporting Staffordshire’s Town and Parish councils.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

Essential

• Experience within local government, town councils & parish councils or a comparable public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of local council governance and statutory responsibilities.
• Experience developing policies, standing orders, financial regulations, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills. Experience supporting elected members and formal committee meetings.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• The ability to work independently whilst managing multiple priorities.
• A full driving licence and ability to attend meetings across Staffordshire as required. Desirable
• Existing experience as a Town Clerk, Parish Clerk, Proper Officer, or Responsible Financial Officer.
• CiLCA qualification or equivalent governance qualification.
• Knowledge of local council finance, AGAR requirements and audit processes.
• Experience of organisational start-up, transformation or change management projects.
• Experience supporting council elections, community governance reviews or asset transfers.

What We Offer

The chance to lead one of the most significant local government projects in Staffordshire in recent years. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Professional support and training from the Staffordshire Parish Councils' Association. A varied and rewarding role with real community impact.

The role is fixed term for 2 years ( with possible extension to permanent)and is part time for 24 hours a week. Hybrid working is available (office in Stafford) as well as travel across Staffordshire.