Lawyer – Contentious (Planning Enforcement)

Ceredigion County Council; Aberaeron; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Aberaeron is seeking a Lawyer - Contentious to support the Legal and Governance Services. The role involves providing legal advice on planning issues and undertaking Planning Enforcement and Enquiries. A qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive is essential, along with practical experience in contentious matters and Welsh fluency. The Council offers hybrid working, flexible hours, and employee development opportunities.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Flexi-time

Competitive annual leave

Enhanced family benefits

Lifestyle savings

Health and wellbeing packages

Qualifications

• Must have practical experience in Planning Enquiries, Enforcement, and Appeals.
• Required to have a current practising certificate.
• Must possess a level of Welsh fluency.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and support on planning-related issues.
• Work on Planning Enforcement and Planning Enquiries.

Skills

Practical experience in contentious matters

Understanding of planning-related issues

Fluent in Welsh

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with a current practising certificate

Job description

Overview

We are looking to recruit a Lawyer - Contentious to join our Legal and Governance Services. To assist the Council's Legal Services in providing a comprehensive and effective Legal Service to Chief Officers, Members and client service areas of the Council in relation to its functions and to undertake work focused on Planning Enforcement and Planning Enquiries. We are committed to developing our people and will not only provide support to enable you to quickly and confidently take ownership of this role's key areas of responsibility but in addition, we are committed to supporting your development in order that you can progress your career with us. In exchange for your skills and commitment we will offer you a range of employee benefits including flexible working, competitive annual leave allowance, enhanced family benefits, lifestyle savings and employee health and wellbeing packages. We believe work-life balance is very important. To support you in achieving this, you will have access to the following discretionary benefits:

• Hybrid Working: Subject to certain conditions being met, you may choose to work from home or in an office location.
• Flexi-time: Hours may be worked within a defined bandwidth, Monday to Friday, subject to service needs.

Responsibilities

• Work focuses on Planning Enforcement and Planning Enquiries as part of the Council’s Legal Services.
• Provide advice and support to Chief Officers, Members and client service areas on planning-related issues.

Qualifications

• A qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with a current practising certificate or equivalent.
• Practical experience in contentious matters, including Planning Enquiries, Planning Enforcement, Planning Appeals/Hearings.
• Due to the requirements of the role the successful candidate must have a level of Welsh fluency on appointment. Please see the person specification for further details.

Where you'll work

Legal and Governance
We ensure that the Council operates in a responsible and transparent manner by providing corporate and operational legal advice, auditing, objective assurance and support across all service areas resulting in the legal welfare and obligations of the Council being upheld, and assurance provided on governance, risk and internal controls. Our key functions include: o Legal Services o Internal Audit: Consulting Service; Independent Assurance o Statutory Role: Monitoring Officer o Coroner Services o Corporate Governance: Audit Committee; External Regulators; Constitution; Governance; Conduct.

Locations

Penmorfa; Aberaeron – Aberaeron is described as a picturesque harbour town and is one of Ceredigion's best loved destinations.