£53,718 - £56,710 (inc £8000 per year market supplement (reviewable annually))

As a small unitary authority incorporating Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, you’ll discover Torbay Council is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition - which is clearly evident by our recent success in being awarded the ‘Most Improved Council’ at LGC Awards in 2023. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.

To complement this journey, we are looking to recruit a practicing Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience, to join our Legal Services Team as a Senior Lawyer (Planning), with excellent knowledge of planning law, to handle a varied case load, in order to support the wider highly performing property and estates team.

Undertaking the role of a Senior Lawyer (Planning), you will have had experience of working within the specialist area of planning and highways, with the provision of strong drafting, negotiating and advisory skills and have extensive experience in negotiating planning and highways agreements, attending planning committee, advising on planning enforcement notices and assisting with the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan procedures, and Compulsory Purchase Orders.

You will also have experience of attending and preparing for matters at the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, County Court and High Court and in all other tribunals or hearings of whatever description and if possible, experience in advocacy or instructing counsel on prosecutions appeals and other court/inquiry work. Additional experience of planning enforcement would be welcome, e.g., prosecutions /injunctions.

The ideal candidate will be excited by a fast-paced and varied caseload, conscientious, professionally curious and a role model to their peers. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed.

We also prioritise wellbeing and have a flexible approach to work life balance; knowing that life doesn’t revolve around work. The Council has a flexible working environment that includes home/hybrid working (with some office attendance required to meet service/client need and to attend planning committee and essential meetings), along with adaptable working hours set around a set of 4 core hours. We also have a set of family friendly policies to support you that all provide more than the statutory minimum.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of their ambitious transformation journey. If you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.

Benefist which include:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service (pro rata in the case of part time employees).
• A Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions.
• Flexible working.
• Paid professional subscription.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive management and team structure.
• Family friendly policies.
• Key skills relocation package.
• Golden Hello opportunity.
• A wide range of lifestyle discounts and health and wellbeing benefits.
• Part time hours considered.

Previous applicants need not apply.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-planning/

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

For an informal chat please contact Claire Kitchener on 01803 207168 or Claire.Kitchener@torbay.gov.uk or Philip Taylor on 01803 207142.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 20th January 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills
Essential:

• Ability to give clear and accurate legal advice.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge
Essential:

• High level of knowledge of the law and procedure within the specialist area.
• Detailed knowledge of the law relating to local government.
• A general awareness of the policies aims and objectives of the Council.

Experience & Qualifications
Essential:

• Admitted and practising solicitor, legal executive (fellow) or barrister with at least 3 years PQE.
• Suitably trained as a legal advisor or advocate.
• Experience of working in a legal environment.

About Torbay Council
Please review the available pages within the careers site.
A list of employer benefits can be found here.

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

Closing date: 15th January, 2025