Governance Solicitor – Permanent
Salary: £54,934 – £56,760 (pay rise pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking an experienced and strategic legal professional to join our Legal & Democratic Services team, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the Council operates within a strong and effective governance framework.
Reporting to the Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) and working closely with the Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will provide high-quality, proactive and solutions-focused legal advice across a wide range of governance, constitutional and public law matters. This is a key opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making in local government, supporting transparency, accountability and the delivery of corporate priorities.
Please note that this role will involve attending Committee meetings sometimes after working hours, so the ability to commute during the week will be important.
About the Role
You will play a central role in maintaining high standards of governance, supporting effective decision-making, and ensuring the Council meets its statutory and ethical obligations. In brief the role will involve:
Supporting the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in fulfilling their statutory duties, including standards, ethical governance, whistleblowing and information governance
Providing expert legal advice on constitutional matters, decision-making processes and governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice
Attending and advising at Council, Committees and senior leadership meetings, shaping key decisions and ensuring robust legal oversight
Reviewing and advising on committee reports, delegated decisions and governance documentation, ensuring legal accuracy and transparency
Leading on standards and regulatory complaints, including investigations and outcomes
Managing a varied caseload covering governance, litigation, housing, licensing and other local authority matters
Contributing to Local Government Reorganisation, providing strategic legal input on structural and constitutional change
Supporting the development and maintenance of the Council’s Constitution and Schemes of Delegation
Providing strategic advice on equality duties and ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty in decision-making
Working closely with senior officers, elected Members and external partners, building trusted and effective working relationships
Contributing to risk management and provide strategic legal insight across Council services
What You Will Bring
You will be a confident and experienced legal professional with strong expertise in governance and public law within a local government or similarly complex environment. You will bring:
Qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister with substantial post-qualification experience, ideally within local government
Strong technical knowledge of governance, public law and local authority legislation
Experience supporting Monitoring Officer functions or working on standards, constitutional or information governance matters
Proven experience advising senior officers and elected Members on complex and sensitive issues
Advocacy experience and the ability to manage complex litigation where required
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work under pressure
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation
A strategic mindset with sound judgement, analytical thinking and attention to detail
Experience contributing to corporate leadership, policy development and organisational change initiatives
For more information please see the job description here [pdf 280kb]
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity or would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Katherine Brioude Katherine.Brioude@northyorks.gov.uk or Penny Keatings Penny.Keatings@northyorks.gov.uk
Key dates:
Closing date: Monday 20 July ( midnight)
Shortlisting date: Thursday 23 July
Apply:
To apply please visit To apply please visit: https://nyresourcing.co.uk/west-lancashire-borough-council-legal-opportunities/
Provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. Your supporting statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role.
Please state which role or roles you are applying for in the header of your email.
Please also complete and email the following questionnaire to accompany your application.
Applications should be emailed to Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs.
It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.
These are politically restricted posts (see Section 2 Local Government and Housing Act 1989).
