A Cambridgeshire town council is advertising for a new town clerk at a salary of up to £81,000 a year – just £5,500 short of what an MP is paid.
Huntingdon Town Council’s advertisement says the clerk, to replace Philip Peacock who is retiring, will be paid on a scale from £67,756 – £81,069 inclusive, with a pay award pending.
The successful applicant will also be offered a “generous relocation package and free parking”.
The council says it wants an “an innovative, forward thinking, and proactive town clerk to take over from the highly respected retiring clerk and continue to drive the council forwards”.
Closing date for the receipt of applications is 12 noon on Monday 18th September 2023.
An informal reception will take place at the council offices on Wednesday 18th October 2023.
Formal interviews will take place at the same venue on Thursday 19th October 2023.
The new clerk will oversee a £2.5m budget for the current financial year.
A list of what is expected from the new town clerk is offered to prospective applicants.
It says Huntingdon Town Council maintains a traditional approach to Local Government and reminds applicants that:
1: Town council meetings and important Civic events see the Town Mayor, Town Clerk and Councillors fully robed with the Town Mayor attended by their Macebearer, who carries the Mace.
2: The recent opening of a new crematorium and cemetery, along with a depot and glass houses is an example of how forward thinking and open to growth the council is.
3: Huntingdon is twinned with four European towns – Salon de Provence; France, Wertheim am Main; Germany, Szentendre; Hungary and Gubbio; Italy.
4: Huntingdon Town Council places community development high on its list of objectives and in particular aims to ensure that a varied programme of entertainment, social and cultural activities is available to all sections of the community.
5: An annual summer tea and Christmas lunch for pensioners; Pancake Flipathon on Shrove Tuesday, Summer Food & Drink Festival and a three-day Christmas Market are organised by the council.
6: Representatives from a wide range of community groups and organisations are invited to Civic events such as the Christmas Carol Service, the Annual Civic Service, Mayor Making and Remembrance Day.
7: The council’s estates portfolio includes: The Town Hall, Cromwell Museum, Coneygear Community Centre, Jubilee Park, Bloomfield Park, two KGV Playing Fields, (which include: Football, Cricket, Indoor & Outdoor Bowls, Indoor & Outdoor Tennis, Archery), four allotment sites and 20 play-areas.
