Democratic Services Officer
Closing Date: 22/05/2026
Category
local government
Contract Type
Full Time, Permanent
Salary
£29,064 - £31,022
Location
Yeovil
Role Summary & Benefits
Yeovil Town Council is seeking a highly organised Democratic Services Officer to support the effective administration of the Council’s democratic and governance arrangements.
Working with the Leadership Team, you will be responsible for supporting Council and Committee meetings, including the preparation of agendas and minutes, maintaining governance documentation, and ensuring compliance with statutory and procedural requirements. You will act as a key point of contact for Councillors and provide advice on democratic procedures and good governance practice.
The successful candidate will have excellent administrative and communication skills, a high level of accuracy, and the ability to manage competing priorities. Experience in democratic services or local government is desirable, though candidates with relevant administrative or governance experience are encouraged to apply. Training and development opportunities, including CiLCA, can be supported.
For more information, please see the job description and job specification. For an informal discussion please contact Amanda Card, town.clerk@yeovil.gov.uk or Lucy Ryder, lucy.ryder@yeovil.gov.uk. To apply, please complete an application form. The job description, specification and application form are available a on our website.
Key Responsibilities
To attend meetings of the Council and its Committees in accordance with the approved Programme of Meetings, subject to amendment.
To prepare, produce and publish agendas in consultation with the relevant Leadership Officer(s), ensuring compliance with legislative and procedural requirements, and to collate reports and background information within statutory timescales.
To take accurate minutes at meetings attended and to produce clear and accurate draft minutes in a timely manner (target: within three working days), for sign-off by the relevant Leadership Officer(s).
To arrange for the distribution and publication of agendas and minutes on the Council’s website, in accordance with statutory and procedural requirements, following sign-off.
To prepare and publish the annual Programme of Meetings, subject to Town Council approval.
To prepare, maintain and regularly review an annual forward plan of Council and Committee agenda items.
To monitor actions and outcomes arising from Council and Committee meetings, to notify relevant officers, and to track and report on progress as required.
To liaise with Councillors in relation to meetings, democratic processes and procedural matters.
To assist and support the Leadership Team with day-to-day responsibilities, as directed.
To support the Council in ensuring compliance with all legal, statutory and procedural requirements administration. relating to governance and democratic
To provide advice to Councillors and officers on democratic processes, constitutional matters and good governance practice.
To support the review, development and maintenance of Council policies and governance documentation.
To maintain an accurate, accessible and up-to-date library of Council policies and governance documents.
To act as the principal point of contact for Councillors in relation to democratic services matters.
To support Councillor induction, development and training programmes.
To oversee the updating and publication of Members’ registers of interests and other statutory information on the Council’s website.
To assist with research, briefings, consultations and working groups, as required.
To support compliance with statutory duties, including Freedom of Information, Data Protection and transparency requirements.
To undertake any other duties appropriate to the post, as directed.
