Governance Officer

About the role

North Northamptonshire Council is an ambitious, exciting, innovative and supportive place to work. The Council is committed to focused service delivery to improve the lives of our residents. Following local government reform, we are well on our way into our transformation journey to deliver excellent services in an inclusive and creative environment where ideas are encouraged alongside a commitment to staff development.

The Council has an ambitious growth agenda, securing significant levelling up funding to support regeneration projects and an overall revenue and capital budget of £431 million. The Council is proud to have delivered a balanced budget and despite the challenging financial position nationally is as a result, able to remain focused on delivery of its objectives.

We operate an Executive governance model and have invested in our Democratic Services team to support delivery of the Council's priorities.

We are committed to supporting your professional development in the field of governance. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the Council's decision-making processes, ensuring transparency, accountability and compliance with statutory requirements. You will play a key role in shaping how the Council operates, influencing policy and procedure and supporting elected members to deliver effective and lawful governance.

To provide comprehensive committee administrative support to the Council's decision-making processes, providing advice, support and guidance to members, officers and the public where appropriate.

• To provide a comprehensive committee administration service to the Council in support of the decision-making process including compiling and circulating agendas, drafting minutes etc.
• To assist in maintaining a register of decision making and maintenance of the Forward Plan, internal forward plans and similar as required.
• Updating information on Mod.
  
  Gov or similar software, ensuring that information is circulated and or accessible to members, officers and the public as required by statute and local preference.
• To utilise and administer virtual meeting technology as required.
• To provide advice and guidance to members, officers and the public in relation to the Council's decision-making processes and governance issues.
• To ensure venues and meeting rooms are booked and housekeeping arrangements for such meetings are in place.
• To ensure the efficient operation of the approved Public Participation Policy of the Council as detailed in the Council's Constitution.
• Under direction, to assist in providing training to members and officers in relation to the decision-making processes of the Council.
• To provide support to the Head of Democratic Services and the Democratic Services section in other duties commensurate with the grading of the post and subject to the skills and abilities required.
• To assist, under the direction of the Executive or Committee Manager, the preparation and delivery of Executive or committee work programmes and individual reports throughout their lifecycle, ensuring liaison with lead officers, and to provide impartial advice and guidance to members as required.
• To assist, under the direction of the Executive or Committee Manager, report authors in the preparation of their reports throughout the lifecycle from drafting to decision stages, providing advice and guidance on report management processes.

• Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.
• Comply with the Council's policies and procedures including (but not limited to) safeguarding, financial regulations, promotion of equalities, customer care, agreed audit actions and health and safety (ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons).
• Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Under the Local Government…