Senior Solicitor/Lawyer - Local Authority

Temp - 6-9 months

Ashford

£23ph-£24ph



We are looking for a Senior Solicitor / Lawyer for a temporary vacancy within the Public Sector. This role is expected to be fore 6-9 months. Your role will include:





To prepare and assist with the legal clearance of, and to analyse and advise upon, draft reports for meetings of the Planning Committee, Cabinet, Full Council, Scrutiny, Advisory and other Committees, Panels and Boards, Task Groups and Working Groups, Management Team and any other meetings as directed. To attend such meetings as required, to advise on corporate, legal, planning, property, and probity issues, and to promote best practice and good order in such meetings.



To maintain external contacts that will assist with the efficient and effective management and development of the Council and its legal work. To share ideas, advice and best practice with the Council's partners where appropriate, in particular Kent County Council and the Homes & Communities Agency.



To plan work activities and priorities to ensure that the Strategic Sites Legal Group's and client officers' requirements are met efficiently.



To work closely with the Principal Solicitor (Strategic Development) as Head of the Strategic Sites Legal Group, and with other members of the Strategic Sites Legal Group and members of the Strategic Sites Team in the Planning and Development Unit as appropriate. In addition and as agreed, to work with the Principal Solicitor (Property and Projects) in relation to complex property transactions and property-related aspects of corporate projects assigned to the Post, and with members of the Strategic Housing and Property Team in the Community and Housing Service as appropriate. To be an active member of corporate 'development teams' on key projects/development schemes, and generally to work with and proactively advise client officers in all Services as appropriate.



To personally undertake a complex and varied high-profile caseload with emphasis on the areas of work referred to in the Job Summary.



To advise on and to be responsible for preparing cases for Court, Public Inquiry and appeal hearings and instructing Counsel, and personally to attend Court, Public Inquiries and Hearings as required as advocate or, where appropriate, with Counsel.



To advise on Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plan and SPD procedures, to advise and assist in preparing Submission Local Plans and Charging Schedules (as assigned to the Post) for independent Examination, and to work closely as part of the Council's Examination team with officers in the Planning Policy Team and other experts, and where appropriate other parties, in connection with the Examination and its procedures and in discussions and correspondence with the Inspector/Examiner as required.



To act as lead negotiator for the Council on legal agreements under s.106 and other powers with developers, funding bodies and infrastructure providers, in cases assigned to the Post.



To keep up to date with and scrutinise new legislation, statutory instruments, planning policy and guidance, circulars and case law, evaluate their effect and give timely and proactive advice on them to officers and Members.



To carry out similar work for other authorities in accordance with any arrangements made by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, as may be required.



To contribute positively towards developing and achieving the Service's contributions to the Corporate Strategy, Business Plan and other corporate initiatives and, in particular, to assist as required in fulfilling the objectives and targets of Legal & Democratic Services' Service Plan.



To contribute positively to the effective joint working of Legal and Democratic Services.



If this opportunity sounds appealing to you, apply today. If successful, you would start immediately after an interview. While working for Office Angels you will receive 28 days holiday (including bank holidays) pension and additional benefits such as eye care vouchers, retail discounts and incentives/competitions.



By registering with Office Angels you will benefit from the support of a dedicated and experienced recruitment consultant, have access to various interviewing techniques and consistent feedback on all applications. This service is offered right through to the day you start your new role and beyond!



Please be aware that we are currently receiving a high volume of applications and will endeavour to contact all applicants, however if you have not been contacted within 72hrs please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion and your CV will be kept on record for future positions.

Office Angels is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.