Chief Officer for Legal & Governance

Chief Officer for Legal and Governance

Rugby (Local Authority role)

6 Month Contract initially

Day rate - £600+ per day

Standard working hours, 37 hours per week

2-3 days per week office attendance

1. As the Council’s Lead Officer provide advice, guidance and expertise to staff and Elected Members on highly complex and contentious legal, policy and democratic services issues.

1. Represent the Council at a range of internal and external meetings

1. Lead in developing and delivering the democratic processes for the Council and supporting the democratic decision-making arrangements. This includes elections, scrutiny processes and managing the servicing of meetings of the Council and its Committees. Contribute towards improving ethical governance across the organisation.

1. Ensure that all required elections and referendums are administered appropriately, within election regulations and in a cost effective way.

1. To act as the Monitoring Officer, which is a statutory post established by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Advise on the application of the Council’s Code of Conduct for elected Members, and for officers. The post is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code and subsequent training of elected members. Responsible for maintaining and monitoring the member/officer relationship having regard to the member/officer protocol at all times. Advise all Members, on an individual or collective basis.

1. Raising and negotiating issues associated with service delivery with clients or service providers to ensure that the service provided meets required standards.

1. Drafting key legal documents associated with the work of the Council and approving drafted documents.

1. Representing the Council as a party in all contested criminal and civil court matters, tribunals, and inquiries.

1. To manage the operation of the Council’s democratic, scrutiny and mayoralty functions and ensure comprehensive advice and guidance is delivered to the members of scrutiny committees throughout the scrutiny process.

1. Oversee the Council’s Members Training & Development Programme and ensure that Councillors receive effective support in their learning and development.

1. Oversee the review of Members’ allowances in association with an independent review panel as required.

1. To deliver efficient, high-quality, value for money and customer focussed services, which are continually reviewed against best practice and meet the needs of Rugby’s residents.

1. Ensure a cross-cutting approach for all relevant services, thus significantly contributing to wider priorities and leading on developing and delivering associated plans.

1. To ensure that effective corporate governance controls are implemented whilst seeking ongoing areas for improvement.

1. To significantly contribute to the development of the Council’s transformation plan which will support the delivery of the medium-term financial plan.

1. Ensure compliance with and provide advice on all relevant requirements and regulations.

1. To be the Council’s lead for Equalities and ensure the Council continuously moves forward with embedding and developing Equality and Diversity in line with internal ways of working and the Equalities Framework. To ensure the Council is meeting its Public Sector Equality Duty by working with operational equality leads.

1. Accountable for financial performance, budgets, assets and data of managed services