Planning and Highways Lawyer

We are seeking qualified legal professionals who enjoy working collaboratively to offer proactive, innovative and customer-focussed advice, and to support the delivery of multi-disciplined, high-profile projects., We have adopted a hybrid way of working offering flexibility in terms of working hours and location. Attendance at the office is expected for team collaboration days, departmental and service meetings. The role also requires attendance at face-to-face meetings and hearings in Buckinghamshire (or further afield). However, we recognise much of this role can also be performed from home or an alternate location. We encourage colleagues to make the most of the options this provides and take control of their own work life balance, The Deputy Chief Executive directorate is central to Buckinghamshire Council's journey to establish itself as one of the best councils in the country. With a clear focus on service improvement through transformation and a drive to build better relationships with the local community, the directorate is fast-paced; but extremely rewarding. Our teams are not only proactively delivering on projects and plans but also reacting to developing situations. If you are ambitious, innovative, and would relish the opportunity to influence change - a role within our service area could be your next career move.

The team includes exciting areas of work, including a brand new localities model - delivering 16 community boards across the county to make it easy for our residents to engage with us as we work together to plan for the future. Other teams include our Policy and Communications and Legal and Democratic Services teams - innovating the way we communicate with our colleagues, Members and the local community, and role-modelling best practice through policy, planning and legal services. If you think you can help us achieve our goals, and want to be a part of this exciting journey, we would love to hear from you!

Are you committed to making a difference? Do you want the work you do to have a real impact for the local community? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your career to undertake varied and complex case work?, You will undertake a complex and varied caseload to deliver on the Councils regulatory function in planning, including drafting and negotiating complex and high value S106 agreements, attending and advising at planning committees, enforcement, public inquiries, as well as bespoke advice. You will be an active team member and support and engage with the development of junior members of the team. Knowledge of Judicial review and Neighbourhood Planning is desirable as is knowledge of statutory and common law highway provisions.

Lawyer - Salary grade 8

In this role you will be an active engaged member of the team providing legal advice to the regulatory function of the council as Local Planning Authority. You will undertake research and advice in all areas including enforcement, attend at public inquiries as well as drafting and negotiating S106 agreements. Planning committee experience would be advantageous although training will be provided with a view to regular attendance at planning committees. Highways experience is desirable including drafting highway agreements., We welcome applications from Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives with relevant experience advising officers and members in planning law, built from a career in either the public or private sector. Naturally, you will be professional, highly motivated and proactive, with a developed knowledge in Planning. You will bring experience, knowledge and excellent drafting skills to the role, as well as the ability to provide sound legal advice. You will be collaborative and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and will actively participate and support the team.

Legal Services is at the heart of the Organisation and provides a fast paced and rewarding career in a supportive environment. Career development is something we are very passionate about; we are committed to building an exceptional in-house Legal Service, utilising our colleague's talent and making the most of what they have to offer.

This is an exciting time to join us, as we continue to grow and develop our service. The recently redesigned in-house legal service is expanding to support the varied work of this diverse authority and to provide a wider range of in-house specialism.

https://buckinghamshire.pagetiger.com/legal-services

If that's not enough reason to join us, you will be entitled to a range of benefits from Buckinghamshire Council including a very competitive employer pension contribution, generous annual leave allowance and discounts in a range of services and restaurants.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally., By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you


• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops


• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group


• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us


• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events


At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions


• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).


For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled 'Exceptions Order')., Hard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. We also offer a salary sacrifice personal car lease scheme to those who are eligible and have passed their probation period. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.