Pontesbury Parish Council has a vacancy for a Deputy Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer to commence work ideally by 6 April 2021.

Closing date for Applications: 17.00 on Friday 12^th February 2021

Pontesbury Parish Council is looking for a methodical and experienced person to join the parish council team of Parish Clerk, Pavilion Building Assistant and Councillors.  In addition to a wide range of facilities managed by the council, it is currently overseeing the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan and intends to roll out its strategic plan for 2021-21 – a programme of events and services to benefit the community. This is an interesting and varied position working mainly from home.

Pontesbury Parish is comprised of the thriving, large village of Pontesbury (7 miles from the county town of Shrewsbury) in Shropshire and various smaller villages/settlements within the rural surrounding area. The parish council serves a population of approximately 4000. There are 15 councillors covering 5 wards.

The post holder will:

• Fulfil the role of the responsible finance officer as required by the Local Audit and Accountability Accounts and Audit Regulations legislation
• To be responsible for all aspects of the council's finances including governance, accountability, transparency and audit requirements
• Provide administrative support for two Parish Council Committees
• Oversee the day to day running of The Pavilion (Community Building) alongside the Pavilion Building Assistant/Cleaner
• Support the Clerk with various Parish Council services/amenities

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and community focused individual with sound financial management, administrative, communication and organisational skills who is able to be flexible in their approach and able to meet deadlines.

The salary is based on 18.5 hours per week. The Salary will be calculated according to the Nation Joint Council rates dependent upon qualifications and/or experience but will be within the SCP 20 - 24 (£25,991 - £28,672 pro-rata for 18.5 hours).

Interviews, including a short presentation, will be held on Monday 22 February 2021 with a view to start by 6 April 2021.  Interviews may be held virtually depending on COVID-19 restrictions.

Please see links below for an application form, job description or further information,  or email clerk@pontesburypc.org.uk/call Parish Clerk on 01691 661157.  Contact the Parish Clerk for an informal discussion about this post.

More information about The Pavilion, community building can be found at www.pontesburypavilion.co.uk

The census is a snapshot of our country, its people and their lives that takes place every 10 years and the next one is on the 21st March. The census in England and Wales is conducted by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The census is important for Shropshire. This is a largely rural county of 1200 square miles with a widely dispersed population and a variety of industries which means there are challenges for the council when planning services and allocating funding. The accuracy of the information that the census provides is crucial to ensuring that we all have schools of the right size, doctors surgeries in the right place and the transport infrastructure that we need to get to work.

The importance of the census was highlighted following the 2011 census when the Shropshire population was shown to have unexpectedly grown by 10,000. That resulted in the increased allocation of landing for building and the large increase in house building over the past 3-4 years.

The 2021 census will enable information to be accessed more quickly than before as a result of it being primarily carried out online.

Anyone with a computer, tablet or smartphone will be able to complete the census. It actually is quicker to complete it online although we haven’t forgotten that some people will need to complete the census on a paper form.

The 2021 census will include 3 new questions regarding service in the armed forces together with optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identification. The answers will help to support the Armed Forces Covenant and allow people to identify as they wish.

The information that the census provides is important for national, local government  and charities. The ONS ensures all the data is confidential and protected. No personal information is released for 100 years.

The ONS is obviously aware of the implications of Covid and its teams will be complying with all regulations so that the public is protected. Some people ask why the census is still going to take place against the background of Covid? The answer is that it will be more important than ever to record the impact of this exceptional virus upon the population, our lifestyles and jobs among other factors.

We all have to complete the census by law. The Shropshire team will support households, those in care and anyone that requires help to complete the census. We will have 6 Census Support Centres throughout the county and helplines will also be provided. In the coming weeks more information about the census will be provided on television, the radio and through social media. It’s a great opportunity for us all to help plan our future.

To find out more please visit our website https://census.gov.uk/

Roger Belham

Census Engagement Manager for Shropshire

roger.belham12@field.census.gov.uk

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/938047/COVID-19_Tier_Posters_2020_FInal_High.pdf

Helpful infographic outlining restrictions in place from 2 December 2020.

If you get sent a text asking you for jury service, please do not click on the link.  It is a scam and you will be asked for bank account details for jury service expenses.  If you have clicked on the link or given out personal/financial information please contact ActionFraud

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Tel: 0300 123 2040