Deputy Democratic Services Manager

Job Description

Deputy Democratic Services Manager Meyer Scott Ref: VR/08526Salary: £18.57 - £22.05 per hourLocation: Cambourne - HybridType: 6-month Temporary assignmentThis position is working for South Cambridgeshire District Council which is based in Cambourne. Reporting to the Democratic Service Manager.Description Of Duties and Responsibilities

• To deputise for the Democratic Services Manager in their absence.
• To ensure the Democratic Services Team operate in an efficient, effective, and politically sensitive impartial way.

• In liaison with the Democratic Services Manager and Head of Transformation, HR & Corporate Services (and supported by HR professionals)- to undertake a structural and procedural review of the Democratic Services Team to ensure they meet the Council expectations
• To assist with the leading and direction of the work of the Democratic Services Team, ensuring that it is well managed; that services are delivered to high standards and meet customer needs.
• To assist with reviewing the work of the team and formulate service development proposals in order to maintain and develop a modern, efficient and effective Democratic Services function, including delivery of virtual meetings, webcasting and a transitionto paperless meetings.
• Support the development of an effective, evidence-based, and outward looking scrutiny and overview function through the provision of advice, policy skills, research and other support.
• Support the Councils elected Members to fulfil their roles including the design and delivery of a Member Development Programme that ensures councillors have the skills, knowledge and experience required to undertake their roles
• Support the co-ordination, promotion of the democratic processes of the Council and ensure the efficient and effective servicing of its meetings.

Dimensions of Job

• Ensure that posts within the Democratic Services Team are occupied by suitably qualified and experienced staff.
• Line manage Team members in Service Managers absence and ensure that their performance is evaluated and monitored; they receive appropriate support; training and development opportunities; and are encouraged to realise their full potential.
• Support with monitoring the work of the Team in order to ensure that all targets are achieved within established timescales and that high standards of service are maintained; where appropriate designing and maintaining systems to generate and utilise informationin order to continuously improve performance.
• Ensure that the Councils decision-making procedures operate smoothly, efficiently, transparently, and inclusively.
• Assist with ensuring the efficient servicing of the Councils meetings, and other joint committees/governance structures, adhering to statutory deadlines and statutory/constitutional requirements.
• Work with the Monitoring Officer to ensure the Councils Constitution is routinely reviewed and updated to ensure it meets statutory requirements and reflects and underpins how Members wish the Council to operate.
• Contribute to the development of member structures and procedures, including leading and contributing to on-going improvements in Member development and the political management structure.
• Assist with overseeing the development of the Councils scrutiny and overview function, reviewing, and amending arrangements for the service with a view to ensuring that it focuses on key priorities and adds value to the business of the Council.
• Assist with the delivery of the specialist support service to the Cabinet, reviewing support as required to help Cabinet members to carry out their roles.
• Act as one of the main points of contact for councillors and ensure that they receive support designed to help them fulfil their roles.
• Be an active member of HR and Corporate Services Team and where appropriate participate in corporate projects and initiatives.

Under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009) this post is classified as a Politically Restricted Post, as the dimensions of the job require the postholder to give advice on a regular basis to the authority, to any committee or sub-committee of the authority, or to any joint committee on which the authority is represented, to the executive of the authority, to any committee of that executive, or to anymember of that executive who is also a member of the authority.Hours: Monday - Friday 37 hours per week.