Solicitor - Planning
Location: County Hall, Ruthin, with flexible working available. Salary: Grade 11, £50,908 - £53,051. Hours: 37 hours per week. Permanent.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Planning professional, with some commercial property experience to support the Council's planning functions and wider corporate objectives.
You will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and high-quality legal service, specialising in planning law.
Training and development will be provided in areas where the successful candidate may have less experience.
This vacancy is undoubtedly a great opportunity for an ambitious and motivated professional to flourish.
The Council has a flexible working policy and generous leave allowance of 26 days leave plus bank holidays moving up to a maximum of 32 days leave plus bank holidays. In addition, there is a flexi leave/toil allowance. An extensive employee benefits scheme is on offer which includes a competitive pension scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme and corporate Denbighshire Leisure Membership.
Job purpose
To undertake legal work within the relevant functional area, or such other areas within Legal Services as may be required from time to time, to advise on legal matters; to act on the Council's instructions and where necessary and appropriate to represent the Council from time to time in Court and at tribunals, hearings, mediations and inquiries.
The work will include advising on planning law matters with particular focus on drafting and negotiating Section 106 Agreements and planning obligations, advising on enforcement actions and public inquiries, advising planning committee and other committees as the Council's legal advisor, as well as other non-contentious Local Government law matters; and carrying out any other legal work necessary for the performance of the legal function.
Principal accountabilities
- Provide advice and draft appropriate legal documentation in relation to property, procurement and contract law matters, including complex and high value property transactions, procurements and partnership/collaborative working arrangements, particularly commercial conveyancing transactions, development agreements and construction contracts.
- Provide advice and draft legal documentation on other non-contentious matters such as local government, highways, companies, trusts, waste, property and planning, including statutory orders.
- Attend Council Committees as legal advisor and deputise for the Team Leader at Planning Committee from time to time.
- Ensure high standards of modernised practice and continuous improvement, attendance at development events and self-learning.
- Deliver training within areas of practice, and support and share knowledge with more junior members of staff.
- Build trust and co-operative working practices with all partners and stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with services to ensure a one council approach.
- Deputise for management as required and perform other duties.
Knowledge, skills and experience
The post holder must be a legal professional with a relevant professional qualification in the service's field of practice, and registered with the relevant body. They must be creative and flexible with excellent oral and written communication skills, enthusiasm for personal development and a track record of delivery.
Special working conditions
- Flexible working.
- Occasional extended hours to meet important deadlines.
- Ability to travel to other locations in the County and North Wales from time to time.
Welsh language skills are essential – level 2.
Appointment subject to satisfactory references.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the post, please call Sally Henderson on 01824 706155 or Kath Morris on 01824 706199.