Governance and FOI Officer

The governance team has an important role in ensuring that the mayor and elected members have all the information and skills necessary to make decisions, ensuring that decision making is open and transparent. We ensure that the democratic process is managed correctly in accordance with relevant legislation and constitution. We attend all statutory Cabinet, Board and Committee meetings and provide procedural advice and support to elected members, officers, members of the press and public. The governance team has a cross-cutting role which involves liaising with all service areas across the Combined Authority. This includes:

• Managing Freedom of Information requests;
• Maintaining a forward plan of future decisions;
• Providing information and advice about the decision-making process;
• Managing the overview and scrutiny function, which provides a check and balance to the work of Cabinet and undertakes in-depth reviews into key areas;
• Processing and co-ordinating questions from members of the public in relation to our Cabinet, Boards and Committee meetings.
The Role You'll be joining a fantastic, friendly, dynamic team with an opportunity to grow and develop alongside your colleagues. We are looking for someone with a strong desire to succeed, who is able to work collaboratively to focus on achieving the required outcomes. Your excellent communication and influencing skills will enable you to engage with different audiences and build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. The successful candidate will
• Lead on processing freedom of information requests and environmental information requests in line with relevant legal and procedural requirements.
• Deliver on the necessary governance duties of the Combined Authority, which includes the preparation of agendas and minutes and providing procedural advice to elected members, officers and members of the public in relation to decision making and associated governance procedures.
• Be an effective communicator, who communicates with colleagues across functional areas to ensure a "joined up" approach.
While you may not feel that you meet every single element of our person specification if you're willing and passionate in this area we would love to hear from you.


• Hybrid/Flexible working
• 27 Days annual leave, increasing to 32 days after 5 years service
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car Lease Scheme
• Free Parking
• On Site Café with staff Discount & more!