Solicitor to the Council role profile

Generic responsibilities

• Make a significant contribution to the strategic leadership and management of the District Council as a member of the Corporate Leadership Team.
• Accountable for all aspects of the leadership, management, development, direction, and delivery of allocated service(s), including joint working and inter-agency co-operation, working closely with Elected Members and other internal/external groups.
• Play a lead role in the development and delivery of the Council’s aims and objectives in the Corporate Plan, including the participation and promotion of partnership working with external agencies.
• Initiate, lead, and contribute to corporate developments and initiatives so as to assist the Council to achieve its objectives.
• Accountable for Service budgets to ensure the delivery of the medium-term financial strategy and ensure the provision and delivery of high quality and cost-effective services.
• Responsibility for contributing towards driving forward or supporting work streams within the “Wyre Forest Forward” transformation agenda to ensure that the Council's corporate priorities are delivered.
• Direct staff to work in a legal and compliant way with all resources (for example, equipment, IT hardware and software).
• Provide guidance and professional advice to Chief Executive and elected members, ensuring relevant legal compliance, clear communication, and delivery of Council objectives.
• Responsible for maintaining and modelling Our Values and standards by developing and driving a people centred and values-based culture.
• Responsible for being part of the Council’s emergency response team on a rota system and in times of major incident.

Corporate accountabilities

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Undertake equality impact assessments as required to ensure the council ‘s policies are lawful.
• Work to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and report incidents as they occur. Treat everyone with dignity and respect and ensure individual’s needs are met.  Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language constructively.
• Actively promote inclusion across the Council.

Health and Safety

• To operate with due regard to the Council’s policies, procedures and guidance and undertake any health and safety training as appropriate.
• To undertake specific risk assessments for team members as appropriate.

Information security and governance

• Manage information in line with the Council’s policies, procedures and guidance on Data Protection, GDPR, Freedom of Information, confidentiality, information security and sharing to ensure compliance and efficient and effective information governance.

Safeguarding

• Maintain awareness of Council policies and practices regarding the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults who may be at risk. Report concerns in accordance with corporate guidance and procedures.

Purpose of the job

• To lead on a portfolio of functions and responsibilities including legal, human resources and organisational development and elections and committee services
• Be the professional Legal lead, maintaining awareness and knowledge of relevant legislation, best practice, and new developments; provide suitable interpretation to Members, Service Managers and other managers and employees within the Council.
• To act as the Council’s Monitoring Officer pursuant to Section 5 of the local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• To be responsible for compliance with the Corporate Governance provisions in relevant legislation including the Localism Act 2011 and Regulations of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
• To be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust ethical framework for members and officers in the operation of the Code of Conduct for Councillors and Co-opted Members, including establishing and maintaining register of members’ interests for all District and Parish Councils within Wyre Forest, including behaviour protocols and whistle-blowing procedures.
• To give authoritative advice and guidance on issues which will be conducive to a culture of propriety and integrity.
• Responsibility for revision and supervision of the Council’s Constitution
• To promote and maintain high standards of corporate governance, reporting any issues or serious concerns regarding Corporate Governance issues or non- compliance with Statutory requirements to the Chief Executive and, where appropriate, to Council. To give high level advice on vires issues, including maladministration, financial impropriety, probity, and policy framework issues. To provide confidential and sensitive advice to members on interpretation of Code of Conduct, including Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Disclosable Interests.
• To provide guidance to Councillors and officers, as appropriate, to assist them in understanding the nature, breadth and requirements relating to legality, avoidance of maladministration and observance of codes of conduct/practice where there is actual/potential transgression by the Council.
• To work closely and co-operate with the other professional officers, in particular the S151 Officer and Head of Paid Service to ensure that the Council complies within the legal and budgetary framework.