Planning Lawyer - North Herts Council

Planning Lawyer - North Herts Council North Herts Council Permanent, Full Time
Level 1/2 – £42,268 to £55,370 per annum (grade 10/11)
Location: Letchworth Garden City
Closing Date: 15th December 2024
The Opportunity A career graded post offering the chance to develop as a local authority lawyer.
To provide a cost effective and high-quality Legal Service to the Council in planning and regulatory law and associated matters, to the service's agreed professional standards. To provide a cost effective and high-quality legal service to the Council with a mixed caseload of planning and regulatory law matters and one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council. To provide legal advice on the successful delivery of the Council's asset management programme and any other relevant corporate objectives and projects.
Key responsibilities The following responsibilities are commensurate with level 1: To effectively carry a mixed case load with sole conduct of matters relating to planning or regulatory matters and a mix of other matters in one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council To undertake research to assist the other lawyers in the team to provide advice to the Council in the areas of planning and regulatory law specifically and local government law generally Timely response to legal instructions to ensure these meet agreed performance targets Being the Council's lead negotiator on the legal aspects of planning related transactions Drafting contracts agreements and deeds relating to all aspects of the Council's business e.g. planning agreements, enforcement notices, planning performance agreements, traffic orders, instructions to Counsel and reports. To provide high level accurate legal advice and guidance to team members, client officers and members in planning and regulatory law matters and other general matters. Preparation of Committee reports and attendance at Council Committees/Meetings, including Planning Control Committee, from time to time as directed and required. Providing legal advice and assistance to and on behalf of the Land Charges Services as necessary. To periodically review all standard documents within the Planning Department and ensure that they are up to date and identify appropriate improvements in processes and procedures relevant to the section. To provide full, detailed and effective management information, including case updates as directed on a regular basis. To continue the development of performance standards and achievement of external accreditation To compile, update and adhere to procedure notes and accredited practices To attend client liaison meetings and corporate group meetings, as required Responsible for ensuring that the Council's Officers and Members are appraised of changes in the law in the areas of responsibility. Level 2 (in addition to Level 1 and where employed meets all requirements for NHDC annual and bi-annual Regular Performance Review, and any other Person Specification requirement) Progress to level 2 will be dependent upon the ability of the postholder to carry out the following additional responsibilities: To effectively conduct a full and varied case load of complex and sensitive planning and regulatory law matters and a mix of other matters in one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council To undertake research to provide advice to the Council in the areas of planning and regulatory law specifically and local government law generally To provide pragmatic advice across a range of local government planning work, providing appropriate solutions that are legally and constitutionally compliant Preparation of Committee reports and attendance at Council and Committee meetings from time to time as directed and required To supervise, (if requested from time to time) for the Legal Manager in the day to day management of the service. Lead on Planning Appeals and Planning Inquiries Please click here to read your general responsibilities:
Political Restriction This post is subject to political restriction, which is divided into two categories and relates to the post holder duties, thus;
Specified posts, including 'deputy chief officers' - since the post holder would be required to deputise for the Legal Team Manager at relevant committee and subcommittee meetings to make formal reports, and provide additional policy advice, this constitutes a specified post within this criterion.
'Sensitive' posts, which meet one of both of the following duties related criteria,
Giving advice on a regular basis to the authority itself, to any committee or subcommittee of the authority of any joint committee on which the authority are represented, or where the authority are operating executive arrangements, to the executive of the authority; to any committee of that executive, or to any member of that executive who is a member of the authority. Speaking on behalf of the authority on a regular basis to journalists or broadcasters. The post holder is therefore prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. The postholder is automatically disqualified from standing for or holding elected office e.g., as a Local Councillor or MP (excluding standing for or holding elected office as a Parish or Town Councillor, as Parish/Town Councils are Local Authorities, but not principal authorities, and are therefore not covered). The postholder is also restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or candidate or speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that appears to support a political party. It does not debar political party membership, just active participation, and endorsement.
The postholder must therefore be aware that in accepting this post, they are required to confirm that they will conform with these political restrictions and that they will be included as conditions of their formal contract of employment with the authority.
The Experience You Will Bring Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Degree in law (minimum 2.2) or equivalent and eligibility for a current practicing certificate. Level 1 Experience in effective handling of case load relating to planning and regulatory matters Experience in and a good knowledge of all aspects of planning and regulatory law Experience in drafting agreements and dealing with complex planning and regulatory related matters Experience in the research and giving of advice in matters relating to planning or regulatory law and related contracts Drafting experience relating to complex contract and procurement matters and either planning agreements, property matters, pleadings or other similar documents. Experience of conducting a full varied challenging and demanding caseload of complex and sensitive legal issues Effective presentation and communication skills, verbal and written Ability to present advice in a way which is constructive, comprehendible, pragmatic and helpful Experience of advising at committees, particularly Planning Control Committees Level 2 Substantial experience of effectively conducting a complex case load without supervision Substantial experience of complex litigation, including advocacy experience Substantial experience of dealing directly with and advising Elected Member and/or senior officers Substantial experience of advising at Committee Substantial experience of advising clearly and to the highest standards Demonstrable experience of advising variety of clients, including Members and senior management Experience of providing effective, supportive supervision Experience of working as part of a team and on own Experience of working effectively and efficiently when under pressure. Experience of developing staff to perform to the highest standards Extensive post qualification experience Extensive experience of working in a local government legal environment Experience in instructing Counsel To assist the Monitoring Officer pertaining to governance and code of conduct matters as required. Experience of Planning Appeal Hearings and Planning Inspectorate Appeals All levels Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Degree in law (minimum 2.2) or equivalent and eligibility for a current practicing certificate. Law Society Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice. Confident in conversing in fluent English which is sufficient to fulfil all aspects of the role. Ability to work occasional unsociable hours and attend off-site meetings as needed. Commitment to continuous professional development and contribution to the service's improvement. Effective, well-developed communication skills, verbal and written, including the ability to influence others. Confident in conversing/ communicating in fluent English to an excellent standard so as to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role. Ability to work within teams; nurturing talent and creating opportunities for services and individuals to excel. Ability to operate in a political environment Knowledge of local authority law and practice Operating within an effective appraisal system Just some of the benefits waiting for you:
Local Government Pension Scheme Generous annual leave, including Christmas close down period Occupational sick pay Free car parking Discounts, including 50% off NHC gym membership Flexible working options including flexi scheme and home-working If you want to know more about the responsibilities, benefits, or anything else about this great opportunity, or if you'd like to request a copy of the full job profile, please email