We are currently recruiting for Senior Democratic Services Officer based in Greater Manchester.
Pay rate: £18.34 PAYE / £23.33 umbrella – per hour (paid weekly)
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week) – Hybrid working
Contract duration: Temporary ongoing
Purpose:
To act as a senior member of the Democratic Services Team facilitating strong and effective democratic and governance functions within the Council to achieve statutory and constitutional compliance, high standards of ethical conduct and effective stakeholder engagement.
To provide effective administrative support to all areas of Democratic Services including assisting Elected Members and officers on the Council’s Constitution, matters of procedure or other issues as appropriate.
Duties:
- Advise elected members, officers, representatives of partner organisations and the public on legal/procedural requirements of Council committee and panel meetings.
- Plan forward work programmes for each body and decision-making system, administered in consultation with members/officers to ensure the efficient and effective conduct of that bodies’ business.
- Ensure that proper arrangements are made for all meetings, including the prompt and effective preparation and dispatch of agenda and minutes within strict deadlines; and the efficient conduct of all business of the committee(s) serviced in accordance with all statutory requirements.
- Prepare and where appropriate presents reports relevant to conduct of business or legal/procedural matters to Full Council, committees, panels, Cabinet Members and officers.
- Attend meetings, to advise on procedural and legal matters, take notes and prepares all necessary follow-up paperwork following the meeting, ie summary of decisions, minutes, reports in accordance with statutory requirements..
- Initiate and progress correspondence on the business of the committee(s) and other bodies serviced, including the processing of references to other committees.
- Maintain and supporting governance procedures and systems, including the preparation of guidance notes, report templates, training material, providing advice and maintaining databases/record systems.
- Assist the Democratic Services Team Leader to prepare, maintain, update and publish the Council’s Key Decisions Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Council’s Programme of Business and the Annual Programme of meeting and substitute for him/her as and when required.
- Ensure proper co-ordination and liaison with other directorates/departments and partner organisations to secure the effective conduct of the business of the committee(s) and appeals served, at Director level where appropriate.
- Assist in the administration of school admission appeal panel hearings, including attending meetings, giving procedural and legal advice and undertaking follow-up action including confirming decisions to the parents, the school admissions team and schools accordingly.
- Service hearings arising from the Licensing Act 2003 including preparation of agenda’s, notification of hearing to all parties, providing procedural advice to panel members and production of decision notice.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience working within a Democratic Services team
- Experience of using committee management software
- Experience of using Electoral Register management software
Apply online or contact Terri O’Keefe on 07879 585551. You can also email terri@peelsolutions.co.uk for more information on this role.