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Apprentice Town Clerk

Soham Town Council · Soham · posted 30 July 2026

Wage
£12,480 a year
Hours
30 hours a week
Duration
1 Year 6 Months
Level
Advanced (Level 3)
Standard
Business administrator (level 3)
Starts
7 September 2026
Closing date
26 August 2026
Positions
1

Apply on the official government service →No Apprentice League account needed — we never gate applications.

Administration:

  • Provide administrative support to the Town Clerk, Assistant Town Clerk and Council
  • Respond to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries from residents, councillors and stakeholders
  • Maintain accurate filing systems, both electronic and paper based
  • Prepare correspondence, reports, agendas and other council documentation
  • Manage incoming and outgoing mail
  • Maintain council records in accordance with data protection legislation

Democratic Services and Governance:

  • Assist with the preparation and distribution of agendas and supporting papers
  • Attend council and committee meetings as required
  • Produce draft minutes for review by the Town Clerk
  • Learn and apply legislation governing local councils, including governance and decision-making procedures
  • Support compliance with the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct

Finance:

  • Assist with routine financial administration
  • Process invoices, purchase orders and payments under supervision
  • Help maintain financial records and reconcile transactions
  • Support budget monitoring and financial reporting
  • Learn the principles of local government finance and audit requirements

Customer and Community Services:

  • Provide excellent customer service to members of the public
  • Support community events and civic activities
  • Assist with consultations and public engagement initiatives
  • Work collaboratively with local organisations, volunteers and partner agencies

Projects:

  • Assist with the planning and delivery of council projects
  • Conduct research and prepare briefing information
  • Help monitor project progress and outcomes
  • Support grant administration where applicable

Compliance:

  • Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
  • Comply with health and safety policies

Support compliance with:

  • Local Government legislation
  • Data Protection legislation
  • Freedom of Information requirements
  • Equality legislation
  • Financial Regulations
  • Council policies and procedures

General Duties:

  • Demonstrate professionalism and integrity at all times
  • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level of the post

Special Project:

  • To update the electronic cemetery records will all information including photographs taken at the cemetery to show the condition of each memorial. This may include updating the online searchable records
  • To update the electronic allotment holder records and re-plot the allotment sites in liaison with the Assistant Clerk and grounds staff

Where it leads

Once the Business Administration apprenticeship is complete, the career progression within the sector is to complete CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) which is the basic qualification needed for most Clerk positions. From there, you can also go on to do BA (Hons) Degree in Community Governance but this is not a requirement of the role.

About Soham Town Council

The Town Council works at the very heart of the local community, supporting the democratic process, looking after public assets, and facilitating community events that make the town thrive. Unlike high-level principal authorities (like County or Unitary councils), a Town Council is the tier of local government closest to the people, dealing directly with residents' everyday lives.  Working for the Town Council means you are working to directly benefit and enhance the lives of the people who reside in the parish.

Things to consider

The job will inevitably involve responding to complaints from members of the public if answering the telephone or manning the office reception. However, this would only ever be with the support of the Town Clerk or Assistant Clerk.

Skills they're looking for

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsCustomer care skillsAdministrative skillsNumber skillsTeam workingInitiativePatience

Entry requirements

  • GCSE English (grade Grade 4/C and above) — essential
  • GCSE Maths (grade Grade 4/C and above) — essential

Where you'll work

  • THE WALTER GIDNEY PAVILION, FOUNTAIN LANE, SOHAM, ELY, CB7 5ED

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