APPOINTMENT OF ESTATES & TRUSTS ADMINISTRATOR MARCH 2016
CONTENTS Page 1 The Diocese of St Albans The Estates & Trusts Administrator (ETA): 3 The role 5 Skills and Qualifications 6 Terms and Conditions 7 How to apply 7 Further information
The Diocese of St Albans The Diocese of St Albans consists of the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and part of the London Borough of Barnet. The population is approximately 1.8 million, and the total electoral roll number is approximately 39,000. The Bishop of St Albans has overall responsibility for the Diocese. He is assisted by the suffragan bishops of Bedford and Hertford, the Archdeacons of Bedford, St Albans and Hertford, the Diocesan Secretary and the Dean. There are twenty deaneries and the Diocese has 336 parishes, of which about one third are rural, 201 benefices, 400 churches, 269 stipendiary clergy, 60 non-stipendiary clergy, 232 clergy with Permission to Officiate and 175 Licensed [111 with PtO] Lay Readers. There are 135 Church Schools and Academies in the Diocese. The statutory work of the Church and support to the parishes is provided by the staff of the Diocesan office, located in Holywell Lodge in St Albans. They work in four main teams:- The Board of Finance which is the main employer of lay staff and is a limited company and registered charity. The Board is responsible for formulating the diocesan budget, which is currently about 14m, and for managing clergy housing, investments and overseeing parochial trusts, the combined value of which is about 150m. The lead officer of the Board, who has overall responsibility for the staff of the Diocesan Office, is the Diocesan Secretary. The administrative team which supports the work of the Board is organised into three major departments, each of which is headed by an Assistant Secretary, as follows : Finance headed by the Financial Secretary. This department deals with the Budget, the statutory financial statements and the management accounts, Parish Shares, Trust Funds, Investments and the financial work of the Diocesan Board of Finance, the Board of Education, the Board for Church & Society and the Council for Discipleship & Ministry. Estates headed by the Estates Secretary. This department deals with the provision, maintenance and improvement of parsonage houses and diocesan properties, the management of glebe and the payment of clergy stipends and related matters. Pastoral and Advisory headed by the Pastoral & Advisory Secretary. This department covers the work of the Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee, the Closed Churches Uses Committee, the Diocesan Advisory Committee and the Board of Patronage. 1
The Diocese of St Albans - continued The staff of the administrative team are in regular contact with, and provide support to, other Diocesan Officers involved with the work of the other Boards and Council, and a variety of groups and sub-committees which report to them. The Board of Education is also a statutory body accountable to Diocesan Synod. Its staff include the Diocesan Director of Education, Deputy Director of Education and RE Adviser who work closely with church schools in the diocese. The Diocese covers five local authorities, with the majority of the 135 church schools and academies located in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, with one in Luton and two in the London Borough of Barnet. The Council for Discipleship and Ministry is responsible for proposing and steering policy in development and learning for the Diocese. The lead officer of the Council is the Director of Ministry and there are three teams reporting to the Council - the Ministry Development Team headed by the Director of Ministry concerned with adult learning, ministerial training and appraisal; the Vocations Team headed by the Diocesan Director of Ordinands concerned with recruitment to ministry; and the Parish Development Team headed by the Parish Development Officer and concerned with work with children and young people, stewardship and support for parishes. The Board for Church and Society promotes the whole mission of the Church in wider society throughout the Diocese. In particular, the Board has special regard for social responsibility, evangelism, ecumenism, interfaith relations and international links. The Director of Mission heads the Board s staff. More information about the Diocese can be found on the Diocesan website www.stalbans.anglican.org. 2
The Role of the Estates & Trusts Administrator 1. GENERAL NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB The post comes within the Estates Department of the Diocesan Office. The Estates Secretary heads the Estates Department and is Secretary of the Glebe Committee and also the Property Committee, both of which are committees of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). She is assisted by the Estates & Trusts Officer who in turn is assisted by the Estates & Trusts Administrator. The Glebe Committee is responsible for the management of the diocesan glebe which is vested in the Board of Finance and comprises some 3,500 acres of land in the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, with three farms in Buckinghamshire. There are also thirteen residential properties and four commercial properties. The Glebe Committee meets about four times a year. The Property Committee is concerned with the provision, repair and improvement of some 240 parsonage houses in the Diocese, which covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and part of the London borough of Barnet. The work involves close liaison with the clergy and their families and calls for understanding, tact, flexibility and sensitivity. It requires a combination of methodical and efficient working practices with a genuine pastoral care and concern for the clergy and the houses in which they live. The Committee also looks after the DBF s own properties, of which there are approximately 35. The Property Committee meets seven times a year. This is a particularly busy time for the Department with some significant developments of glebe land being pursued, a greater focus on management of the glebe portfolio, and government initiatives prompting an increase in educational trust activity. The Estates & Trusts Officer has responsibility for these areas of work. In addition to its responsibility for glebe and property, the Estates Department deals with the payment of clergy stipends, removal, re-settlement and first-appointment grants, together with decoration grants for parsonage houses and DBF properties. The Department also has responsibility for the Trusts of which the Board is the custodian or direct trustee. These are diocesan, educational and parochial trusts and involve regular contact and liaison with the Diocesan Director of Education, parish clergy and PCC secretaries and treasurers, concerning such matters as the purchase, lease, development and sale of Trust properties, applications for use of funds and proposals for varying the permitted use. The postholder will need to work closely with legal advisers and surveyors when dealing with tasks set out below. 2. ACCOUNTABLE TO: the Estates Secretary through the Estates & Trusts Officer 3
The Role of the MDT Administrator (continued) 3. TASKS OF THE JOB: Initially: (i) (ii) Liaising with the Board s agents on the management of glebe holdings and maintenance of records on the diocesan database Monitoring receipt of glebe rents (the Glebe Agent will deal with following up arrears). (iii) Obtaining such statutory consents for sales, purchases and improvements of glebe and parsonage houses as are required by Measure. (iv) (v) (vi) Obtaining quotations from the Board s insurers for the annual renewal of the block insurance policies for parsonages, glebe land and houses, DBF and school houses. Liaising with the Archdeacons and Chairmen of the Glebe and Property Committees, ensuring that they are fully briefed as necessary. Attending all meetings of the Glebe Committee and Property Committee, and preparing agendas, minutes and briefing papers as requested by the Estates Secretary. (vii) Attending such other meetings and site visits as necessary. (viii) Attending staff training courses, as approved by the Diocesan Secretary. (ix) Undertaking tasks usually carried out by other Estates Department staff during their absence on holiday or sick leave, and such other tasks as may be requested and required from time to time by the Estates & Trusts Officer, Estates Secretary or Diocesan Secretary. Later: (x) Liaising with the Registrar over the legal interpretation of Trust Deeds and answering queries from parishes about the use of trust funds. (xi) Liaising with the Diocesan Surveyor on Trust property matters. (xii) Arranging the sealing of documents by authorised officers. (xiii) Maintaining the register of Trust deeds. 4
Skills and Qualifications The work is essentially of an administrative nature and it is not expected that candidates will have experience in all aspects of the job. Professional advice and assistance is available from the Diocesan Surveyor and the Diocesan Registrar. However, the post holder will be expected to have, or quickly acquire:- Knowledge of the structures of the Church of England A working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. The Repair of Benefices Buildings Measure, the Endowments and Glebe Measure etc. The ability to analyse financial data e.g. carry out the reconciliation of simple financial statements The ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely both orally and in writing. Experience in the following areas would be an advantage:- Committee work, including the preparation of agendas, minutes and the presentation of papers both orally and in writing, Working with professional advisers. The applicant, who should be a graduate or equivalent, will have the following skills and qualities:- Computer literacy, preferably using Microsoft Office The ability to learn quickly The flexible approach to work which is necessary in a small office Methodical and efficient working practices The ability to carry out research thoroughly and accurately A customer focused approach which recognises the responsibility of the office to provide a high quality service to parishes 5
Terms and Conditions Salary: The post is offered on the Higher Executive Officer scale ( 28,453-33,972) and the starting salary will depend upon qualifications and experience. Salary scales are reviewed each year in July. Pension: There is currently a non-contributory pension scheme with the Church of England Pensions Board to which the Board makes a contribution of 25% of salary. Hours: Normal office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. On occasions it will be necessary to attend site visits and meetings out of hours for which time off in lieu is given. No overtime is paid. Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 22 working days plus the statutory Bank Holidays and the working days falling between Christmas and the New Year bank holiday. Costs: The Estates and Trusts Administrator will need to be able to visit properties from time to time. Necessary travelling expenses incurred on business will be refunded in accordance with agreed rates. Term: The appointment will be based upon a probationary period of three months during which it may be terminated by either party by one week s notice, and thereafter by three months notice on either side. Office: The person appointed will be required to work in the Diocesan Office at Holywell Lodge in St Albans. This is a pleasant building, centrally situated in the City within a short walk of the Cathedral. More detailed information on terms and conditions for members of the Board s staff will be found in the Staff Handbook. 6
How to apply for this position To apply for this post, please send a c.v., a covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements, and the names and addresses of two referees to The Diocesan Secretary, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1HE, or by email to lgriffiths@stalbans.anglican.org. References may be taken up before interview. Please indicate if anyone may not be approached at this stage. Closing date: 12 noon Friday 1 April 2016 Interviews: will be held on Tuesday 12 April in St Albans. Further information Information about the diocese can be found on http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/. 7