Parham Parish Council

VACANCY - PARISH CLERK

Applications are invited for the position of Clerk to Parham Parish Council.

The vacancy has arisen following the resignation of the current postholder who is available to hand over to his successor.

You will be responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Local Authority are carried out. The Clerk is expected to advise and assist the Council in the formation of its policies, to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement constructively all decisions. You will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will be responsible for all the financial records of the Council and the careful administration of its finances.

Duties will include:

· attending all Council meetings and committees and preparing minutes & agenda

 

· bringing correspondence and documents to the attention of the Council

· issuing correspondence on the instructions of (or the known policy of) the Council

· obtaining quotes, receiving & reporting on invoices for goods and services

· preparing regular and annual sets of accounts and the Council’s budget

Computer literacy and financial knowledge are essential to this post, as are good record keeping, and written and verbal communication skills.

Willingness to undertake regular training and attend conferences and seminars will also be required.

You will be expected to work from home and provide a secure office base for the council. A laptop computer and other equipment will be provided as necessary.

Salary will be paid at the rate of £8.04 to £9.57 per hour (currently under review) for 4 hours per week.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Andrew Houseley, Chairman, on (01728) 724014. Applications in writing to Parham Parish Council, c/o Hall Hill Cottage, Parham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 9AB. e-mail: ahouseley@aol.com

Play Your Part by watching out for bogus callers

With the warmer weather encouraging doorstep callers onto our streets, residents are being warned to watch out for bogus deals or offers to check services.

Statistics show that spring and summer is when unscrupulous traders or thieves posing as officials tend to target unsuspecting householders, some of whom will be elderly or frail.

Suffolk County Council Trading Standards officers are working with Suffolk police, Neighbourhood Watch, Anglian Water and others across the county to protect people from becoming victims of bogus callers.

You can play your part by keeping watch and reporting any concerns by calling Consumer Direct on 0845404050, or contacting your area Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613 500, or visit www.suffolk.police.uk

Remember Lock Stop Chain Check (the four steps to safety)

• LOCK - make sure your back door is locked before you go to the front door
• STOP – think ‘Are you expecting anyone?’
• CHAIN – secure the door chain before opening it
• CHECK – ask for and double-check the caller’s identity. If you are in any doubt, don’t let them in

Tips for dealing with bogus traders

· Don’t agree to any work at your doorstep, or let the job start before you have a chance to change your mind

· Does the work really need doing? If so, shop around and get some quotes and personal recommendations before going ahead.

• A good trader/builder is always in demand, does not need to chase work by knocking on doors and will give you time to consider the estimated price.
• You have a right to cancel any contract signed on the doorstep within seven days. You must be given a cancellation notice with any work. If you are not, the contract is void and no one can force you to pay.

Did You Know?

About half of all bogus callers claim to be from utility companies such as ‘the water board’. Householders can check their identification card is genuine by calling Anglian Water on Freephone 0800 145 145 (24 hours).

Play your part to prevent anti-social behaviour

Some problems with anti-social behaviour can stem from young people being able to buy alcohol, cigarettes, fireworks and knives even though they are under-age.

Young people may also be obtaining alcohol from home, or have it bought for them by an older person.

Suffolk County Council is tackling traders who flout the laws prohibiting the sale of age restricted products to young people, as part of its work to improve community safety.

Such underage sales are a criminal offence, which may lead to a prosecution, an on the spot fine, or a review of a trader’s alcohol license.

Trading Standards officers work closely with the police and licensing authorities to gather intelligence about shops and pubs that are illegally selling these products to young people.

You can play your part by reporting underage sales. It may be that there are often underage drinkers in your local pub, or perhaps you have seen young people being sold alcohol, cigarettes or fireworks locally or at the supermarket?

Trading standards officers will contact the premises to advise them of their legal obligations and offer advice on how they can prevent future illegal sales. A covert test purchase by a trained underage volunteer may also be set up to check if the trader has heeded the advice.

Play your part by reporting any concerns to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0845 404050, or contacting your area Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613 500, or visit www.suffolk.police.uk