Supporting Local Councils in Bedfordshire
The date of the 2026 BATPC AGM is confirmed as the evening of Wednesday 14th October 2026, at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick.
Further details will be available nearer the time, however in addition to the business of the AGM there will be speakers on relevant topics. Attendance is free for all councillors and officers of BATPC member councils. Member councils with electors in excess of 1,500 may appoint three voting representatives, while all other member councils may appoint two.
Booking is now open for the below remote training sessions with BATPC, with courses taking place via Teams as follows:
This session guides parish and town councillors through the basics of local council practice, including roles & responsibilities, councils’ powers & duties, council meetings and more. The session is designed for new councillors, but bookings are open for all councillors on BATPC member authorities and all are welcome.
This session is designed for new Chairs and Vice Chairs and covers the basics of the role – the role of the Chair, preparing for a meeting, the agenda, and knowing the rules.
This session is designed for Chairs and Vice Chairs with some experience and covers chairing styles, managing the meeting, handling conflict, stimulating discussion and ethics.
Places are available to be booked by the clerk to BATPC member councils, by emailing Tracy Moorhouse at admin@batpc.co.uk
For more information on the full range of training available through BATPC, please click here
Part-time Parish Clerk: 12 hours per month to be worked flexibly, mainly from home.
Billington Parish Council seeks a highly motivated and enthusiastic person to take on the post of Clerk to the Council and Responsible Finance Officer. Our current Clerk will step down on 1st May 2026.
The successful candidate will be employed for 12 hours per month to be worked on a flexible basis, working independently from home, along with attendance in person at the bi-monthly Parish Council meeting which is held in the evening on the third Thursday of every other month at Billington Village Hall. The first meeting to be attended is the Annual General Meeting on 21st May 2026.
The role of the Clerk is to ensure that the Council conducts its administrative functions and services professionally and in accordance with all relevant statutory obligations.
The Clerk is the main point of contact for all other authorities, contractors, suppliers and the public and plays an important role in Council meetin
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
– Acting as an impartial advisor to the Parish Council;
-Arranging and attending Parish Council meetings including preparing agendas, meeting papers to enable the Council to make informed decisions, taking minutes and undertaking all actions arising from the meeting;
-Providing legal, procedural and administrative guidance to the Council;
-Receiving and dealing with enquiries and all correspondence from members of the public and other bodies;
-Liaising with Councillors, outside bodies and residents as required;
-Management of budget, day to day finances, payment of invoices, management of online banking, production of monthly financial and budgeting reports for the Council;
-Preparing the Annual Accounts for audit and completion of statutory returns as required; and
-Management of Council assets, including ensuring various contractors, undertake duties to a high standard, and the regular updating and maintenance of the Council’s website and developing the Council’s social media presence.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
-The applicant to hold a Certificate in Local Council Administration (CILCA);
-A good understanding of Local Council administration and legal framework;
-Competent use of email, Microsoft Office, Word and Excel, and ability to update and maintain the Council’s website, and comfortable with a variety of social media;
-Possesses a high degree of literacy and numeracy;
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
-Very good organisational skills.
Terms and Conditions
-Renumeration will be in accordance with National Local Government Pay Scales and set at SCP (spinal column point) 23 at £17.85 per hour or £214.20 per month based on 12 hours worked per month.
For more information, please contact Julie Todd, our current clerk, on 07525 005754 or email her at clerk@billingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk
To apply, please send your CV along with a short covering note and your contact details to helenthompson@billingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 29th April 2026 and interviews will be held shortly afterwards.
BATPC was pleased to be amongst the exhibitors at the Bedfordshire Branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks’ (SLCC) successful Market Stall Event, which took place at Astral Park in Leighton Buzzard earlier this month.
The event was designed by the branch as an advice, guidance and networking opportunity “facilitated by the sector for the sector”. It brought together town council officers with specialist knowledge across Democratic Services, Community Services, Environment alongside wider sector support, including BATPC’s own market stall staffed by County Officer Robin Thomas.
Participants discussed real‑world issues and solutions, forging new links and strengthening local relationships in the informal, collaborative setting on the day. Topics covered ranged from agendas and minutes to events, youth work, open spaces, planning, and organisational support, with the format enabling meaningful conversations between officers on the issues they tackle on behalf of their councils week in and week out.
The branch reports that feedback from attendees has been excellent, with many attendees commenting on how beneficial it was to connect with colleagues facing similar challenges.
The event was kindly hosted by Leighton Linslade Town Council and supported by partners including, in addition to BATPC, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Councils and of course SLCC itself, with SLCC President Lance Allen, Chief Executive Rob Smith and Branch Empowerment Officer Lara Jacob all in attendance.
Commenting, Robin Thomas said: “BATPC was delighted to be a part of such a successful event for the local council sector in Bedfordshire, which both demonstrated and further developed the strength and value of local relationships.’
“It was of course only possible thanks to the hard work of the SLCC branch, and we were grateful for their invitation to join local and national partners in the cause of enhancing collaboration and good practice across Bedfordshire’s local councils.”
Amongst the resources available on the BATPC stall on the day was a summary of the advice services available to BATPC member, which you can read here.
There is more information about the Society of Local Council Clerks, including membership options for clerks, on its website, here.
Recruitment of Town Clerk
Salary Scale: LC3 – SCP 37 – 41 per annum (£48,226 – £52,413 inclusive)
(Depending on experience and qualifications)
Plus – Local Government Pension Scheme and Free Parking.
Sandy Town Council is seeking to appoint an innovative, forward thinking and proactive Town
Clerk to support the elected Councillors in achieving their aims and aspirations for the Council.
The Town Clerk will have responsibility for ensuring that the instructions of the Council are carried out and will work actively with the elected Councillors accordingly.
The Town Clerk will help the Council develop its Strategic Plan while establishing and progressing action plans to achieve its ambitions.
The Council also has a number of ongoing projects, and a key part of this role will be somebody who has enthusiasm and experience to move these projects to completion; including research into grant funding bodies.
The Town Clerk will be expected to implement the Council’s plans and manage its operations, staffing and delivery of services.
The post holder will also be responsible for ensuring the Council remains up to date at all times in relation to its policies and training needs and adheres the required privacy, and data protection compliance.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have relevant experience – a track record of service achievement, innovation and commitment to public service, be motivated, community focused, and possess sound managerial, communication and organisational skills.
Candidates should have a sound knowledge of local government law and procedures. A Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification is required as a minimum, or a willingness to achieve this within 18 months of commencement. Attendance at evening meetings and weekend events will be required, for which time off in lieu will be granted.
Sandy Town Council is committed to Equality of Opportunity and actively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
For an informal discussion and to access the Recruitment Pack then please contact the Town Clerk, Mrs Nicola Sewell on 01767 681 491 or at clerk@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk
For further details and an application pack:
Website: www.houghtonregis-tc.gov.uk
Email: louise.senior@houghtonregis-tc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01582 708540
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Sunday 5th April 2026
21 hours per week
Permanent
Salary SCP 25–28 (pro rata)
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated, knowledgeable and experienced finance professional to join Houghton Regis Town Council’s established and supportive team.
The position offers excellent terms and conditions, including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, and hybrid working opportunities.
The Search
We are seeking an experienced and accurate finance manager, capable of overseeing the Council’s financial activities within a legal and regulatory framework. You will manage day‑to‑day financial operations, maintain financial controls, support budget setting and forecasting, and assist with year‑end and audit processes.
The Team
Houghton Regis Town Council provides a positive and collaborative working environment where staff are supported through training and development.
Our officers are proactive, knowledgeable and confident in their work, building strong working relationships with colleagues, councillors, community partners and residents. The Finance Manager plays a key role in maintaining the Council’s financial integrity and supporting strategic financial planning.
The Applicant
You will have:
Desirable attributes include professional accountancy qualifications (CIPFA/ACCA/CIMA), knowledge of local council accounting legislation, and CiLCA.
For further information, please visit the Houghton Regis Town Council website: www.houghtonregis-tc.gov.uk
CVs will not be accepted.
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. All candidates will be assessed on merit and ability to perform the duties of the post.
BATPC—representing every town and parish council across Central Bedfordshire—has submitted a strong and detailed response to the Stage 2 consultation of the Community Governance Review. The association says many councils are concerned that their views were overlooked during the first stage of the process, and that the proposed reductions in councillor numbers would have harmful effects for councils and for local democracy.
The proposed changes would cut the number of councillors at 35 of Central Bedfordshire’s 71 town and parish councils, leading to a dramatic reduction in the capacity of local councils to do what is necessary in their communities.
Local communities in Central Bedfordshire were previously represented by district and county councillors along with their town and parish members, until the abolition of Bedfordshire County Council in 2009. They are now set to lose further representation, with a massive 105 council seats to be slashed overall if the changes go ahead, and just 6 added.
BATPC warns that these reductions would not save a penny of taxpayers’ money since Bedfordshire town and parish councillors receive no remuneration whatsoever. However, the impact of the reductions would be to leave councils more thinly stretched, less resilient, and less able to provide local services communities rely on such as cemeteries, allotments, management of open spaces and much more.
This impact would be felt most acutely at small parish councils (where the only employee is the Clerk) which cannot afford to lose the volunteer efforts of local councillors and their work to protect and improve their communities week in, week out.
Commenting, BATPC County Committee Chairman Cllr Madeline Russell said:
“Local councils know their communities best. Reducing councillor numbers against the wishes of local councils risks weakening representation, narrowing the range of views in local decision-making and diminishing councils’ capacity to deliver valued services.
“We strongly urge CBC to pay heed to town and parish councils themselves on this and other issues under review.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed the appropriate sum for the purposes of section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 for parish and town councils in England for the financial year 2026–27. The new limit is £11.60 per elector, up from £11.10 in 2025/26.
The increase reflects the percentage rise in the retail price index between September 2024 and September 2025, in accordance with Schedule 12B of the Local Government Act 1972. Section 137 of the Act allows parish and town councils to incur expenditures for purposes that benefit their communities when no specific statutory power is available.
The notification letter to the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) from MHCLG which confirms the new limit for 2026/27 can be read on the Society of Local Council Clerks’ website here.
Section 137 provides town and parish councils with the basic power to spend money subject to the statutory limit on purposes for the direct benefit of its area, or part of its area, or all or some of its inhabitants. Members and officers of BATPC member councils can find guidance on the use of Section 137 and the various limits on the use of the power in the NALC advice note on Local Council General Powers, here. (Member login required. See guidance on creating an account here.)
Responsible to: Administration Team Leader
Salary: NJC Scale Points 7–12 (£26,403 – £28,598)
Hours: 37 hours per week, including occasional evening and weekend working
Location: Town Council Offices
Terms and Conditions: NJC for Local Government Services
Benefits:
Sandy Town Council is seeking to appoint a Community Engagement and Events Officer to play a key role in strengthening communication, participation and engagement between the Council and the community it serves.
This is a varied and outward-facing role combining community engagement, events coordination, communications and frontline customer service. The postholder will support the development and delivery of the Council’s Community Engagement Strategy, manage a programme of Council-led events and markets, and act as a key point of contact for residents, stakeholders and volunteers.
The role will suit a highly organised, creative and people-focused individual who is confident working with the public, able to manage competing priorities and motivated by delivering positive community outcomes.
Key Responsibilities include:
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Experience of community events management, social media administration, website content management or local government administration is desirable, but not essential. Relevant training or qualifications in administration, media, PR or community engagement would be advantageous.
The Town Council is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Appointment will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks.
For an informal discussion about the role or to request the Recruitment Pack, please contact the Town Clerk.
For further details and to apply, please contact the Town Clerk or request the Recruitment Pack: clerk@sandytowncouncil.gov.uk
NALC has opened an Assertion 10 ‘resource hub’, providing parish and town councils with a “comprehensive collection of tools, guidance and policies to help strengthen governance and compliance with the new Assertion 10 of the Annual Governance Statement.”
The hub features several newly-developed resources, including a refreshed IT Policy and a Data Protection Roadmap that offers step-by-step guidance to help councils understand their responsibilities, plan improvements, and meet data protection obligations. The soon-to-be-published Good Councillors Guide to Website Accessibility will also be added to the hub.
You can read more about the hub here, while it can be accessed by member councils here.
All of the resources are available to BATPC members councils as NALC members. Member login on the website is required to access these and other resources – anyone who has not yet registered on the site can find guidance on how to do so here. If you have any problems setting up your profile, please let me know.
NALC is hosting a free remote Assertion 10 Hub launch event On Tuesday 2nd December at noon, with places available to be booked here. The event, which includes involvement from BATPC’s Communications and Data Complaince training partner Breakthrough Communications along with design agency Aubergine, will feature introductions to: