Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer to join our dedicated and friendly Planning & Highways Team within Legal Services.

Working in a mutually supportive environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark and help us take Herefordshire to the next level.

The role requires expertise in planning and highways law and it is essential that you are able to demonstrate knowledge in these specialisms.

You will provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues, varying in complexity including but not limited to:

• Advice on large scale redevelopment schemes, CPOs, listed buildings, land contamination
• Drafting of S106 and Highway Agreements
• Planning enforcement work and planning/highway prosecutions
• Dealing with Appeals and Public Inquiries
• Lawful Development Certificates, TPO advice
• Judicial Review ,High Court proceedings, governance and other areas of legal practice

You will be expected to:

• Provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and to liaise with external bodies and legal advisers
• To attend decision making meetings including Planning Committee remotely or in person if required.
• Undertake advocacy on contentious planning and highway matters, draft documents and review Cabinet and Planning Committee Reports.
• Contribute to the improvement of the Legal Services Team
• Support junior members of the team including the Legal Apprentice in legal practice and procedure contributing towards their professional development.

The post holder must be either a Solicitor or Legal Executive who is a fellow of CiLEX or a qualified barrister.  We do not stipulate a certain PQE and would welcome applications from applicants at any stage of their career, whether or not your expertise is in the public or private sectors.

In return, we offer:

• Basic Salary of £49,764 to £54,180 dependant on experience
• Relocation packages: support of up to £5,000
• Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
• Professional development- comprehensive training and development programme
• Generous annual leave: 31 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum (pro rata).
• Flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Pick your perks- our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits.This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county located in the heart of the Marches on the border with Wales.  We are one of the most rural and sparsely populated counties in England with a wealth of unspoilt countryside, distinctive heritage, and lively and attractive market towns.

We have ambitions for Herefordshire to be an exemplar of 21^st century rural living where market towns and rural communities are valued and recognised for the contributions they make to the success of the county.  It’s a great place to live with a beautiful natural environment and we’re creating a thriving local economy which is sustainable, well connected and offers wellbeing across the whole of the country. 

The Council has recently undergone a transformation allowing it to be a modern, vibrant workplace where creativity and collaboration is actively encouraged and staff feel engaged and empowered.  Employees are provided with choice, tools and the environment to deliver remotely or flexibly.  Central to our vision is recognising the importance of a good home/work life balance, offering you the opportunity to work for us on a fully flexible basis.  As such we welcome applications from individuals nationwide. 

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the supporting statement within the application form, referring to the job description & person specification, detailing how you meet the specific requirements of the role.