Clerk for new Northampton Town Council will earn over £70k

The shadow Town Council held its first-ever meeting on Monday, with the real authority set to meet for the first team after the local elections are held in May.

Representing a population of 130,000 people, the town council will be the largest of its kind in the country.

As well as being the town clerk, the person chosen for the role will also take on the position as head of paid service, being responsible for the council’s finances at the start of its inception. It is envisaged however that the town council will appoint a separate responsible financial officer as soon as possible, with the town clerk holding the post before an appointment is made.

In 2009 the wage for the average town clerk was £26,214. But the salary being offered is within the salary scale recommended by the Society of Local Council Clerks.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be appointed at the first point of the scale, which is just over £72,000. Subject to satisfactory performance they will progress annually through the scale up to just under £78,000. However, for an exceptional candidate a higher starting salary may be offered, according to papers in the first town council meeting.

In order that a permanent town clerk can be recruited and in post by the time of the Annual Council Meeting in May, Northampton Borough Council has started the recruitment process, with applications closing to entry on December 17.

There will be 25 councillors representing 21 wards on the new town council, which is likely to be based at the Guildhall once Northampton Borough Council is abolished and replaced by the new West Northamptonshire unitary council.