About Us:
Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford-on-Avon is, without doubt, one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare’s hometown. In the District, you will find thriving market towns, home to over 135,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year, from across the globe. We are proud to provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit.
At the Council, our people are our superpower and by choosing to bring your talents to our organisation, you will be joining a great team where everyone feels that they truly belong, full of dedicated people all working with passion and purpose, across a dynamic portfolio of work providing high-quality services.
Benefits:
As part of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Flexibility:
* A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays
* Flexible Working Arrangements
* Flexi-time scheme for a better work-life balance
Lifestyle:
* Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses
* Eye test voucher scheme
* Everyone Active Gym Membership discount
Professional Development:
* Training and Development opportunities
* Payment of one professional subscription fee
Financial Planning:
* Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to secure your future
* Access to free Will writing services
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work etc.
* Free town centre parking
What to Expect in the Role:
Join us as a Democratic Services Apprentice and earn while you learn! This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification—all while receiving a salary.
Our apprenticeships offer real-world training, career progression opportunities, and the chance to work alongside experienced professionals in a supportive environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to change direction, our inclusive programme is open to all and designed to help you build a successful future in local government.
As part of this exciting Apprenticeship opportunity, you'll benefit from dedicated training time—at least 20% of your working hours—to help you successfully achieve the Level 4 Governance Officer Apprenticeship. This structured learning is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in a governance role, with full details available on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website. It’s a fantastic way to grow your career while making a real impact in local government.
At the end of the apprenticeship contract the postholder will have developed the necessary skills and experience to be able to:
* Support the Council’s Committees, Panels and Groups by preparing agendas, minutes and providing procedural advice.
* Use the Democratic Services software and AV streaming system to manage meetings and public communications.
* Maintain accurate records of Council decisions and assist with information requests.
* Interpret and apply committee administration procedures, protocols and governance standards.
* Communicate effectively with Councillors, Town/Parish Councils, Independent Persons and the public.
* Assist with general election duties.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):
* Support Democratic Processes: Assist in organising and supporting Council meetings, including preparing agendas, attending meetings, and producing accurate minutes and decisions.
* Governance and Compliance:Help interpret and apply the Council’s Constitution, Codes of Conduct, and procedures to ensure meetings and decisions comply with legal and policy requirements.
* Information Management:Maintain and publish Council records and decisions, ensuring transparency and accessibility, including updating the Council’s website.
* Councillor and Public Support:Provide impartial advice and support to Councillors, officers, Town/Parish Councils, and the public on governance and procedural matters.
* Operational Support:Contribute to AV system operation, training coordination, election duties and the development of new procedures and best practices.
What You’ll Need (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):
* Excellent written and spoken English, and confident in providing clear advice to a wide range of people.
* Strong IT and word processing skills (especially Microsoft Office), with the ability to analyse information, solve problems creatively and maintain confidentiality.
* Organised, detail-oriented, adaptable, and calm under pressure, with a professional appearance and a friendly, can-do attitude.
* Able to build effective working relationships while remaining impartial and independent in a governance setting.
Apprenticeships are funded by the UK Government and there are some rules which we need to consider to establish eligibility for this opportunity.
In particular:
* You will have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years prior to the start of the apprenticeship or fit the criteria of eligible residency status in theApprenticeshipFunding Rules.
* You do not already hold the same or similar qualifications.
The rules employers and training providers must follow to get funding for training and assessing apprentices in England.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Macer Nash, Democratic Services Manager at macer.nash@stratford-dc.gov.uk or Ann Banks, Senior Democratic Services Officer at ann.banks@stratford-dc.gov.uk.
Applications will close at midnight on Sunday 14th September 2025
Interviews will be held week beginning 29th September 2025
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