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Independent Persons

Job Summary
Contract Type:
Please See Advert Text
Working Pattern:
Please see advert text
Advert Start Date:
08/11/2019
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 25/11/2019 23:59
Salary:
£650 Annually
Job Category:
Other
Vacancy ID:
193159
Employment Location:
Stockton-on-Tees
Post Number:
010638
Number of posts:
2
Closing date:
25 Nov
Further Information
Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council is looking to appoint one or more individuals to provide independent support to the Authority's standards/code of conduct for members' arrangements and its disciplinary arrangements concerning the Authority's Statutory Officers.

The Localism Act 2011 introduced the Authority's current code of conduct for members and the local arrangements to support it. Under the requirements of the Act the Authority is required to appoint one or more Independent Persons to assist the Authority to carry out its duties with respect to its ethical governance and the Code of Conduct for Members. The Authority will consider the appointment of 2 independent persons.

Individuals appointed to the role of Independent Persons must be available to discharge their role following appointment by Council in December 2019.

The functions of the Independent Person(s) are that he or she:
• Must be consulted and their views taken into account before the authority takes a decision on any allegation made against an elected member which has been investigated;
• May be consulted about any other aspect of a councillor's alleged breach of the authority's Code of Conduct for Members; or
• May be consulted by a councillor against whom such an allegation has been made.

In addition, under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, the Authority is also required to appoint its Independent Persons, to its Investigation and Disciplinary Panel to assist the Authority to carry out its duties under the 2015 Regulations in relation to the Authority's procedures for the discipline and (where necessary) the dismissal of its Statutory Officers.

Training will be given and an annual allowance of £650.00 (gross) will be paid in monthly instalments. Initial appointments are for a two year period with a possible extension of a further two years.

A candidate should not be involved actively in party politics and should be independent of local government. It is essential that a candidate can demonstrate personal integrity and honesty, a keen interest and commitment to maintaining high standards in public life, experience of exercising sound judgment in relation to complex matters and strong oral and written communication skills. It would be beneficial for a candidate to demonstrate experience of managing or advising upon misconduct issues in another context, understanding the pressures and constraints of serving as a member of an accountable public body and knowledge of public sector governance issues.

Applicants must have the ability to consider and evaluate information and arguments before reaching sound, justified and fair conclusions. We are therefore looking for people who are able to bring an independent and objective perspective to the investigation process.

As independence is a vital element of the role, the law rules you out for this role if (within the past 5 years) you are (or have been) a Member, co-opted member or employee of Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council or any Parish or Town Council within the Stockton-On-Tees area, or a relative or close friend of such a person. You might also be excluded if you have a high public political profile, or if you have other close links with the Council, such as a contractor etc.

Applications must be received by 12.00 noon on the closing date to:

Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council - Beccy Brown, Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-On-Tees, TS18 1LD - Telephone 01642 527003 or email beccy.brown@stockon.gov.uk
Please note
This job is closed for applications.

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