Council Policy Committee Officer

Our client the local authority would like to recruit a Democratic Policy Officer to manage the policy process of the local council. This is a politically agnostic position to support the democratic process.

You will facilitate the democratic process of the council by (i) arranging and servicing policy, regulatory and ad-hoc meetings and (ii) advising councillors and officers on constitutional and procedural matters.
Arrange and attend meetings of the Council and its Committees, Sub-Committees, Review Panels and consultative forums and working groups ensuring that these run smoothly and that the proper procedures applying to each meeting are followed;

Arrange and Chair's pre-meetings, advise the Chair and Deputy Chair and senior officers on the matters for discussion at the Committee or Sub-Committee meetings and co-ordinate the preparation of final agendas and reports;
Prepare clear, concise and accurate agendas, reports and minutes and ensure their circulation within the prescribed timescales; and a comprehensive follow-up service to meetings, including;

Preparing and publishing decision lists to ensure that directors are aware of action they need to take and that the information is accessible to the wider public. Communicating decisions, verbally and in writing, to interested parties (councillors, individuals, press and other bodies) and relevant items are referred to the Council, Leader and/or Chair, other Committees, Sub-Committees or bodies, as appropriate;
Deal with enquiries from press, public, officers and other interested parties in relation to decisions made by Council, the Leader, Committees, Sub-Committees, or Review Panels and consultative forums;

Essential Criteria
Experience of working within the local government democratic process or a similar organisation.
Detailed knowledge of the legislative requirements relating to the democratic process including the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
Awareness of the roles of council Members and a developed political sensitivity
Knowledge of good practice on the conduct of meetings and experience of preparing agendas and minutes.

Inventum Group is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.