Committee Services Senior Officer

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Local Government Pension

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive staff groups

Extra annual leave up to 10 days

Wellbeing team

Cycle to Work / EV schemes

Job summary

North Somerset Council is seeking a dedicated Committee Services Senior Officer to join our Democratic Services team. You will prepare and publish agendas and reports, convene meetings of council committees, and provide support to elected members.

The role offers hybrid working with some office time at Weston-super-Mare Town Hall, plus flexible working arrangements, progression opportunities, and a strong focus on governance and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage formal committee meetings and minutes.
• Strong written and oral communication with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret legislation and apply council procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and publish agendas and reports for council committees.
• Convene and support meetings; take notes and draft accurate minutes.
• Provide advice on standing orders and delegated powers to elected members.
• Support information management via the service systems and public website.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Working under pressure

Written and verbal communication

MS Office proficiency

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Committee Services Senior Officer to join our Committee Services team. The Democratic Services team of which Committee Services is a part is responsible for supporting the democratic process by arranging and facilitating all councillor decision‑making meetings; supporting engagement with public concerns and scrutiny of council activity through Policy and Scrutiny Panels and running elections, referendums and polls as required.

The Committee Services Senior Officer is responsible for preparing and publishing agendas and reports; convening and supporting meetings of council committees; ensuring that information on meetings and supporting papers is available to members/officers via the software management system and the public via the website; taking notes and preparing accurate minutes; providing advice on the council’s procedures relating to standing orders and delegated powers; and providing effective and appropriate support to elected members in their role.

The post is career‑graded from level 6 to level 7 to allow progression as you gain experience and knowledge within the role. Progression to the next level of the career grade will be dependent upon managerial assessment of competence and independent working.

Our new system of agile working encourages flexibility. Although your work base will be the Town Hall, Weston‑super‑Mare, you will also be able to work from home should you prefer. Some work at the Town Hall location will be required.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. During the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office.
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the democratic and election process and who possesses the following skills and experience:

As well as being able to work under pressure to consistently meet deadlines, you will have strong interpersonal skills in dealing with a variety of people at all levels both within and outside the council and be able to work as part of a team. You will also be able to work flexibly and on your own initiative and have a positive approach to problem‑solving.

You will have a proven track record of success in managing formal committee meetings involving the decision‑making processes in a political organisation; the ability to interpret and apply legislation; awareness of and an interest in current affairs; good communication and writing skills; excellent organisational skills; and the ability to consistently meet demanding deadlines in a pressurised environment.

You will have proficient IT skills in Microsoft office packages including Word, Outlook and Excel, with an ability to learn additional software as required by the service.

You will also have the ability to take notes at meetings and use them to draft minutes. Working closely with councillors, colleagues and the general public, you will have good communication skills both oral and written.

You will have current knowledge of the council’s Constitution and be able to find information within it.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in‑house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.