Part 1Matters affecting parish and town councils directly (including principal authority consultations etc.)

GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LOCAL COUNCILS

Please see DAPTC website home page for the joint NALC/SLCC new fifth edition of the Practitioners Guide for local councils – issued 9 June2014

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPARANCY CODE FOR PARISH COUNCILS WITH A GROSS ANNUAL INCOME OR EXPENDITURE EXCEEDING £200,000

The Local Government Transparency Code was published by DCLG on 1 May 2014. The code applies to certain local authorities, including parish councils, which have a gross annual income or expenditure exceeding £200,000.

It is important that parish councils to whom the new Code applies read the new Code in full. The new code and answers to frequently asked questions about it are available on the DCLG website at

Part 2Government and other statements, consultations, etc. which might have an impact on parish and town councils.

ASK DORSET

On June 2nd Dorset County Council is kicking off a series of road shows all around the county inviting the public to come and tell them what they think is most important in the wide range of services they pay for through their Council Tax.

The council doesn’t want to stand still, and is ready to change as a result of listening to local people.

It’s even more important that they listen now, as like all public services Dorset County Council’s budget has been squeezed as part of the national austerity measures. So far the council has worked hard to find these savings and has reduced its overall annual budget by £60 million, whilst having minimal impact on front line services, and needs to save a further £43 million over the next few years.

The county council will though still be spending £250 million a year, so this is a real opportunity to make sure that the money is spent wisely, and to have the greatest positive impact on the things you think are most important, whether that is the state of our roads, running our outdoor education service and libraries, or providing social care services for older people.

We need your help. We need to know what you value the most, what is most important to you and your family and friends.

You can get involved in lots of different ways:

In person at one of our road shows. Come at meet us, at our road shows you will have the opportunity to talk to your local councillor, a member of our cabinet, our most senior officers or even possibly the chief executive.

You can also get involved online at

You will also find more information in our newspaper Your Dorset which you will receive in June. Whichever way suits you, we really want to hear from you.

Part 3Training, job opportunities, marketplace offers, funding sources etc. potentially of interest to parish and town councils. – Note: - commercial advertisements passed on via this element of the circular do not imply that the organisations are recommended or preferred by DAPTC.

LYME REGIS TOWN COUNCIL

Finance Manager

37 hours per week

Salary scale SCP 27-30

£23,188 - £25,727

Lyme Regis Town Council is a major stakeholder in the local tourist economy, managing the seafront, car parks and gardens.

Its activities are supported by an extensive property portfolio which generates an annual income of around £1,000,000.

The town council is seeking to appoint a forward-thinking finance manager to manage its finances.

The ideal candidate will be AAT qualified or CCAB part-qualified. They should also be a good communicator with a ‘can do’ attitude.

If you think you meet these requirements, we’d like to hear from you.

The duties of the post require occasional evening and weekend work.

An application pack can be obtained from the town council’s website

or by telephoning 01297 445175.

To find out more about this opportunity, contact John Wright, town clerk on the number above.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 30 June 2014.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 8 July 20

DOES YOUR COUNCIL REQUIRE A LOCUM PARISH CLERK/RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER?

As a Parish Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer with 39 years local government experience at district Council level, I am available to perform these functions for your Council:

  • During your Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer’s absences e.g. sickness, maternity leave, holiday, or
  • Between the resignation of your Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer and the appointment of a new one.

I am located in North Dorset where I have undertaken the roles above for fourteen months. I have recently submitted my CiLCA portfolio.

Matthew Mills

Tel 01258 446 222

BBC HOME SWAP HOLIDAYS

A new BBC television series is looking for sociable people who want to try out a home swap in a great British location.

Do you live in a lovely home or in a terrific location?

Would you like to swap your property to have a memorable experience in a fantastic part of Britain?

If you’d like to taste superb local cuisine and take part in fabulous activities that go beyond the guide book, then we want to hear from you!

For an application form or just an initial chat please email with your contact details or call us on 07944 794 099

To register your interest in the show, people can just drop us an email on r an initial chat and an application form.

Cynthia Starkey

Chief Executive

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