Governance Lawyer - Braintree District Council
Braintree District Council
Fixed Term, Full Time
£39,868 to £44,086 per annum
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 5th January 2025
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Governance Lawyer.
The Opportunity:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Governance Lawyer to join our team for a fixed term 12-month contract.
The main purpose of your role will be to support the Monitoring Officer and wider team in maintaining good governance to ensure the Council’s responsibilities are effectively managed and decisions are made in a lawful, clear and transparent manner.
You will provide expert legal advice to Members and Officers at all levels, leading on the preparation of decision reports to Cabinet/Council and key committees. You will support the development of governance processes and training to ensure compliance with legal practice and the Council's Constitution.
Experience:
To be successful in this role, you will be a qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX. You will have significant experience of advising Members and Officers on good governance arrangements, with a detailed, comprehensive, and practical understanding of public law principles, local government law, governance, and constitutional issues.
You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyze complex information and present advice, reports, and accounts clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences. With proven success in building and sustaining effective relationships, you will be resilient, tenacious, and have the ability to think strategically and proactively, reassess tasks, and devise solutions to meet changing priorities and tight deadlines.
Accountabilities:
1. Support the Monitoring Officer in managing and maintaining systems of good governance.
2. Provide expert advice on behalf of the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer.
3. Provide legal advice in response to queries raised by officers or councillors.
4. Develop training and processes to support the organization in compliance and governance.
5. Implement new or updated methods, forms, and processes as required.
6. Oversee the production of reporting packs for key meetings.
7. Support the Monitoring Officer in Code of Conduct complaint investigations.
8. Guide team members in managing the scrutiny process.
9. Manage a decision and actions log from Council and Cabinet meetings.
10. Attend meetings of the Council to provide legal and governance advice.
11. Participate in the strategic management of the Governance and Legal department.
Why choose Braintree District Council?
Braintree District Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority with a vision of creating a great place for our residents and businesses. We are becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away, and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports.
We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:
* Flexible working
* Free parking
* Local government pension scheme
* Learning and development for all staff
* Staff recognition schemes
* Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.
This is a varied and interesting role and a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic and innovative local authority, and we would love to hear from you.
To apply, click here: Governance Lawyer
Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Sunday 5th January 2025.
Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
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