The Council must employ a Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) who has the responsibility for the proper administration of their financial affairs, (Local Government Act 1972 S151).

The RFO is a Proper Officer of the Council, the employee who manages the Council's financial records and activities. the RFO has specific duties relating to the
budget, annual accounts and audit ensures proper financial management and transparency.

The RFO is responsible for the financial administration of the Parish Council;

• overseeing the implementation of financial procedures in accordance with duties and powers set out in s151 of The LGA 1972;
• Ensuring that these procedures comply with proper practices as per the Accounts and Audit regulations in the 'Governance and Accountability for smaller authorities in England, March 2017 Practitioners Guide.

The Clerk is the Proper Officer of the council, the principle executive and independent and objective adviser who provides legal and procedural advice to manage, guide and support the Council in its duties, (must do's), and its powers, (can choose to do), and limitations.

The Clerk is required to give clear guidance to Councillors, including the Chair,
before decisions are reached, even when that guidance may be unpalatable. The Clerk must also liaise with the Monitoring Officer at the district council on ethical issues and the Councillors' Register of Interests.

The Clerk is responsible for advising the council on staffing provision and managing the recruitment process. In smaller councils the Clerk may also carry out the role of the Finance Officer.

Many parish councils encourage their clerks to seek professional recognition for the
work that they do. A qualified Clerk is one of several pre-requisites for a parish council
achieving Quality Council status and also in becoming a council eligible to exercise the power of competency. The council is responsible for all decisions.

The Clerk:

• has a statutory duty to carry out all the functions of a local authority's Proper Officer according to statute;
• implements actions as requested by the Council, who make the decisions;
• provides effective management of the council, it's resources and its employees;
• is the delegated representative for making of urgent decisions on behalf of Council.

The Assistant Clerk supports the Parish Clerk/RFO to carry out the functions of the Parish Council to secure its aims and objectives. The Assistant Clerk covers in the absence of the Clerk and is answerable to the Council through the Clerk and is line managed by the Clerk. This person will work closely with the Clerk and Finance officer. The Clerk will be responsible for day to day workload management of the Assistant Clerk.

The Assistant Clerks supports the Clerk to ensure the Parish Council has regular open office hours and assists with increasing engagement and is responsible for office housekeeping and general administration, ensuring the office is tidy and sufficient supply of stock; responds to enquiries from members of the public in person, by email, mail, social media and by telephone; works effectively as a team member, promoting effective communication and team cohesion.

The specific duties that may be asked of the Assistant Clerk shall include:
Liaising with the Parish Clerk and appropriate Committee Chairperson in preparing agendas. Helping to ensure these are issued on time with link to supporting documents. Assisting with any other administration relating to meetings; holds responsibility for minuting the Strengthening Local Relationships and clerking the Amenities meetings, and any other meeting from time to time depending on the needs of the Council.

The deputising for the Clerk / RFO duties that may be asked shall include:
- Providing administrative support for the Clerk / RFO absences where possible.
- To serve or issue all the notifications required by the law of a local authority's Proper Officer and minute meetings in the absence of the Clerk.
- Ensuring the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out in the absence of the Clerk / RFO.

As Parish Council Handyman, Jamie is responsible for:

• opening and closure and daily upkeep of the public toilets,
• emptying the rubbish bins on the Recreation Ground
• drain clearance of leaves and other debris (not on the Highway)
• supporting the Allotments Association
• litter picks on the Recreation Ground and around the Parish
• inspecting and reporting on maintenance needs of our green areas such as broken fences and other equipment.

This role will naturally evolve as time goes on and more services are devolved to the Parish Council to run.

Please do go and introduce yourself to Jamie if you see him when you are out and about. He is a handy chap to know!