A local parish council clerk was not a role that came up in any discussions I had with a careers advisor. I probably didn’t know what it was when I was moving into adulthood! But deep down I think I have always had the desire to make a difference. It’s something that still drives me today – and makes me glad that I’ve found my way into a role that really fulfils me.
What do Clerks do?
On a day-to-day basis, the role is similar to that of a circus performer; you’re trying to spin lots of plates at once. Arriving in the office, you never quite know what the day will hold, and often your plans can go array when you find yourself dealing with queries or issues in the village.
There’s quite a lot of ‘admin’ to do in the running of the council, from preparing and sharing agendas and minutes, to organising the calendar and updating policies. We also have on-going, large projects, such as the Eynsham Art Trail or updating the Strategic Plan.
Just as you get stuck into a spreadsheet or start typing agendas, you might get a call about an unexpected issue that needs to be dealt with – and you never know what it might be!
On occasions I have been asked to solve a resident's overflowing toilet in their property and even manoeuvre a large vehicle that had become stuck! Some things I can resolve, while others need escalating to West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council or other agencies.
It can be tricky to navigate the complexities of the council structure and the various bodies involved, trying to identify who is responsible for what. This changes over time, too, just to keep you on your toes! ‘Every day is a school day’, I often think, and you develop the skills to cope with all this the longer you are in the job. What helps, of course, is having a dedicated team of colleagues and councillors, not to mention clerk peers.
Get involved
If you’re interested in becoming a clerk, there are many opportunities for informal and formal training, delivered either online or at locations within Oxfordshire. Our county has a very supportive and knowledgeable network of local council clerks and we meet regularly. This is a group I know I can ask advice from at any time, no matter how bizarre the question might be. If you’d like any advice on becoming a local council clerk, feel free to email me on epc.clerk@eynsham-pc.gov.uk or visit Vacancies - OALC.
If you’re not seeking a new career but would still like to make a difference to a wonderful community, why not consider becoming a councillor? Eynsham Parish Council currently has nine councillors and five vacancies. Our councillors work hard but we could achieve much more if we had a full quota, plus we need a diversity of voices represented to ensure we are making the decisions that are best for the whole community.
Please consider joining us. The role of a councillor is a rewarding one in which you can make a real difference. Whatever your background, skills or interests, you will have something to bring. You will be fully supported by fellow councillors, not to mention myself and the staff team, so it wouldn’t be half as scary as you think. Feel free to give me a call 07956901622 or email epc.clerk@eynsham-pc.gov.uk for an informal chat. If you’re ready, complete an application form (download below or email for a Word version) and let’s start the ball rolling!