Role of Parish Clerk and Parish Councillor

Role of the councillor

Role of the Parish Clerk (Proper Officer/RFO)

Represent some or all of the community

Forward communications / correspondence received from Parishioners to Cllrs in a timely manner

Agreeing a budget

Preparation of budget

Making management policy decisions

Ensure the Parish Council devices appropriate policies and carries them out

Issuing instructions to the Parish Clerk on behalf of the whole Parish Council. A suitable person should be appointed.

Listen and implement the instructions given provided they are within the policies of the Parish Council, statute and Parish Clerks employment contract.

Checking decisions taken by the Parish Council are properly implemented.

Take a role in implementation as agreed by the Parish Council

Responsibility for implementing decisions rests with the Parish Clerk however sometimes Cllrs will have some role to play in policy implementation.

Suggesting new initiatives or development of new policies seeking the views of the community

Explore the possibility of implementation of the new policy and bring the findings to the Parish Council

Ensuring the views of the community are put to relevant persons or bodies

Assist the Parish Council in achieving this

Works for the whole Parish Council as a corporate body not individual Cllrs

Prime responsibility for the administration of the council and managing other staff.

Responsibility of advising Parish Council before it makes a decision

Warning the Parish Council against proceeding with a course of action that is unlawful

Perform statutory duties according to the relevant legislation

Act on the will of the majority of the Parish Council or in accordance of a previously agreed policy or decision.