Dunchideock Parish Clerk
The Parish Clerk Saga - what happened?
The PC met 12 January 2021 and 19 January 2021. In neither meeting was the resignation of the Clerk (9 January) on the agenda. The PC wanted to keep this a secret. Why?
The PC met 12 January 2021 and 19 January 2021. In neither meeting was the resignation of the Clerk (9 January) on the agenda. The PC wanted to keep this a secret. Why?
Some points
Minute 7b of 19/1/21 says that "The RFO was not consulted in the setting of the final precept figure having proposed a higher budget".
The Parish Council appeared to have lost confidence in their Clerk/RFO (Responsible Financial Officer). An astounding situation. No wonder he resigned.
Minute 23 of 12/1/21 regarding the budget and precept for 2021/22 ".....the figures were still being prepared by councillors...". Astounding yet again that the RFO wasn't doing his finance job for which he is paid!
The Part 2 minutes of that meeting identified:-
It seemed clear the Clerk was far from doing the job needed by the Councillors! He was certainly incapable of several key job skills that were required, as follows:
Minute 7b of 19/1/21 says that "The RFO was not consulted in the setting of the final precept figure having proposed a higher budget".
The Parish Council appeared to have lost confidence in their Clerk/RFO (Responsible Financial Officer). An astounding situation. No wonder he resigned.
Minute 23 of 12/1/21 regarding the budget and precept for 2021/22 ".....the figures were still being prepared by councillors...". Astounding yet again that the RFO wasn't doing his finance job for which he is paid!
The Part 2 minutes of that meeting identified:-
- Recommendation 7 - A Clerk must have IT skills
- Recommendation 9a - Clerk must keep timesheets .. regarding public enquiries
- Recommendation 10 - Overall management of the website will be a core duty .... of the new Clerk
- Recommendation 11 - clarifying the working arrangements between the Clerk and Councillors
It seemed clear the Clerk was far from doing the job needed by the Councillors! He was certainly incapable of several key job skills that were required, as follows:
The 2019 Recruitment Advert
The Parish Council seeks an "energetic self-motivated person" who has skills in:
This job is three hours per week, on average over a calendar year, at £10.30 per hour. Previous experience is preferred, but not essential as training will be offered if necessary.
You will also be the "Responsible Financial Officer" for the Parish Council
Applications to Chair of the Parish Council, Mrs Sarah Sharpe 01392 811614 even though the Parish Council has created an "Employment & Complaints Committee" to which all matters of employment have been delegated. The Chair is yet again over-ruling this committee as she did in the previous round of recruitment (when she illegally excluded two of the applicants).
Applications closing date Friday 11th January 2019
The Parish Council seeks an "energetic self-motivated person" who has skills in:
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- Minute writing (I think the PC overlooked Agenda preparation)
- Website editing & management
- Financial and budget management
- The PC's advert also asks for "Adobe" skills, whatever that means!
This job is three hours per week, on average over a calendar year, at £10.30 per hour. Previous experience is preferred, but not essential as training will be offered if necessary.
You will also be the "Responsible Financial Officer" for the Parish Council
Applications to Chair of the Parish Council, Mrs Sarah Sharpe 01392 811614 even though the Parish Council has created an "Employment & Complaints Committee" to which all matters of employment have been delegated. The Chair is yet again over-ruling this committee as she did in the previous round of recruitment (when she illegally excluded two of the applicants).
Applications closing date Friday 11th January 2019