Solicitor (Specialist Level 2 -Planning & General Legal Work)

Salary scale J £34,373 to £37,568

Job Ref 01028

Closing Date 28th August 2022

Are you motivated to work for an ambitious Organisation, here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive?

Here’s some information about us

We are here to empower and inspire our communities to thrive. Every staff member plays a part in our success and achievement through challenging what we do, how we do it and how we can do it better. Ideas are continuously encouraged, new ways of working are trialled and we apply learning through experience. Through our ‘one team’ approach, we work in an agile way to empower our staff to be able to make decisions that place our customers at the heart of what we do and ultimately to empower and inspire our communities to thrive.

We are in an exciting process of transitioning from a district council to being part of a new, larger unitary council providing most local government services to the Barrow, South Lakeland and Eden areas. South Lakeland’s transformation through its Customer Connect programme and positive culture will provide an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to play a role in enabling the Council and its people to shape and transition to the new Council.

We Are South Lakeland.

Some details about the role

A great opportunity has arisen within our Legal Team for a Solicitor to lead on the Councils Planning work and to cover some General Legal work. The post is pre-dominantly based at the Council’s Head Office in the beautiful market town of Kendal in South Lakeland, with the option for remote/home working.

What we are looking for in you

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning Solicitor and have extensive knowledge in:

  • Preparing for hearings and inquires
  • Dealing will planning appeals
  • Leading on completion of s106 agreements
  • Advising at planning meetings
  • Planning Enforcement

We are also seeking someone who can work across the areas of work within the Council, covering Litigation, Contracts and property work as required.

You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines. Have effective communication skills and able to use sound judgment to solve problems. Used to working in a busy and pressurised environment you will enjoy a challenge and be committed to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients. Possession of good IT literacy skills and the ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matters including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Committees and working groups as required.

What we offer

  • Being part of an innovative, forward thinking, supportive and solutions focused team
  • Smart working – Working in ways that gets the best outcomes
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  • Generous Annual Leave Entitlement (23 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays (raising to 28 days after 5 years service))
  • Flexi time – being able to accrue up to 13 additional flexi days + 5 additional banked flexi days per annum
  • An attractive pension scheme

Equality of opportunity

We are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and identities including from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these groups are under-represented at SLDC, particularly at senior level. As part of our commitment to employing disabled people, all disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirement for vacancies will be guaranteed an interview.

Would you like to join us, share and develop the experience and above all, make a difference…?

Specialist Role Profile 

To accompany your application, please upload a CV summarising your employment history, qualifications and relevant experience. Please note, we are unable to accept CVs alone for job vacancies.

For an informal discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Julia Krier, in the first instance by e mail – Julia.krier@southlakeland.gov.uk

Candidates that are shortlisted for interview will be informed by email.

Closing date for application: Sunday 28 August 2022

Interviews will be held: Week Commencing 5 September 2022

Apply online