Locum Principal Planning Lawyer

Principal Planning Lawyer

City of Westminster 

6 month contract

Rate negotiable

1. As part of the Bi-borough shared legal services department to give adequate and timely legal advice to the Councils and their various departments on all strategic/corporate matters relating to town & country planning law including associated legislation, place shaping, planning policy, local government law, related highways law and the provision of any related governance advice.

2. To manage and support all work undertaken by the legal planning team. 3. To participate in meetings of the Legal Management Team and to undertake such tasks in relation to the leadership and management of the Service as a whole as may be required.

4. To represent the Director of Law on corporate working groups across the councils and with outside organisations, as required.

5. To manage and provide the efficient and cost-effective delivery of legal services within the Planning Team within a culture of customer focus, continuous improvement, service excellence and employee development.

6. To monitor staff resources and budget appropriately against the demands of work to ensure that the accounts for the service are financially viable throughout each year and that the team, and individuals, meet their chargeable targets and the agreed KPIs and that performance is of a high standard at all times.

7. To be responsible for developing the team to enable the team to work for other public sector clients.

8. To deal with the most complex matters falling within the responsibility of the team and to report to, liaise with and assist the Chief Solicitor and Director of Law as necessary. The post holder will be the adviser to Committee, Executive Members, the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Heads of Service for major town and country planning matters and the lead lawyer on relevant project boards.

9. To research, advise on and draft reports on a wide range of sensitive/complex issues affecting the Councils, ensuring that all relevant considerations are before Members when policies are determined. 

If you have any questions about this role or wish to apply, please contact isobel@deekay.co.uk who will respond at the earliest convenience.