At a Glance
- Tasks: Support local democracy by organising meetings and advising councillors.
- Company: Chorley Council, dedicated to community well-being and excellent service delivery.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and free parking.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; travel around boroughs may be needed.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance and enhance community services.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and knowledge of local government law required.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 39152 € per year.
Location: Chorley Town Hall and Leyland Civic Centre
Contract: Full time (36.25 hours per week) / Permanent
Salary: £38,220 - £39,152
Closing Date: 25 May 2026
Are you highly organised, detail-driven, democratic services professional with strong knowledge of local government law, governance, constitutional arrangements, and committee management? If you are passionate about local democracy and thrive in a fast‑paced, public‑facing environment, this is an excellent opportunity to play a key role at the heart of the council.
What you’ll be getting up to:
- Working with councillors and officers at all levels
- Providing support to members to carry out their role
- Organising meetings, creating agendas, ensuring correct sign‑off of reports via reports management
- Supporting meetings, giving advice on procedure and minute taking
- Working with teams across the councils, including Digital Services
Who we’re looking for:
- A high degree of political sensitivity to be able to work with, advise and influence members and officers
- Capable of expressing information and ideas orally and in writing that is logical, well‑structured, timely, accurate, and meaningful to the audience
- Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision, prioritising and organising to ensure business needs are met
- Strong organisational skills
- Use of Mod.gov or another committee management system and Microsoft packages
- The ability to work flexibly outside usual office hours
This is a politically restricted post.
Other requirements:
This role requires some travel around our boroughs. You should have a valid driving licence or equivalent mobility.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown)
- Hybrid/agile working from day one
- Local Government pension
- Healthcare Cash Plan for cashback on health treatments
- Cashback website access for savings on brands you love
- Volunteering days
- Free parking
Many of our colleagues work flexibly for us. We’re always open to conversations around different working arrangements. If you’re interested in part‑time, compressed hours or any other working arrangement, please get in touch with us through the “Contact Us” form on our careers website.
About Us:
Chorley Council is dedicated to providing first‑class services and promoting the well‑being of the local community. Our staff are our greatest resource, at the heart of everything we do, and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services for our residents. At Chorley Council, we’re always striving to make our borough the best to live, work and visit.
Working Together:
We share a number of our services with South Ribble Borough Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back‑end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Equal Opportunities:
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices. We’re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier‑free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long‑term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of this post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Democratic and Member Services Officer in Chorley employer: Chorley Council
Chorley Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the local community. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to meaningful public service. The council fosters professional growth and collaboration, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about local democracy and governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic and Member Services Officer in Chorley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the council's values and priorities. When you’re chatting with interviewers, drop in how your skills align with their mission. It shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to local government and democratic services. We can help you role-play these scenarios so you feel confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the council’s culture and what they look for in a Democratic and Member Services Officer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can set you apart from other candidates. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and engaged.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic and Member Services Officer in Chorley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills:As a Democratic and Member Services Officer, being organised is key! Make sure your application reflects your ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase how you’ve kept things running smoothly.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is crucial. We want to see that you can express your ideas logically and accurately. Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward so that your points come across clearly.
Highlight Your Knowledge of Local Government:Since this role involves local government law and governance, it’s important to demonstrate your understanding of these areas. Mention any relevant experience or training that shows you’re well-versed in the necessary constitutional arrangements and committee management.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers website. This ensures your application is received promptly and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council
✨Know Your Local Government Law
Brush up on local government law and governance structures before your interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand the context in which you’ll be working.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully organised meetings or managed agendas in the past. Highlighting your strong organisational skills with specific instances will help illustrate your capability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Show Political Sensitivity
Be ready to discuss how you’ve navigated politically sensitive situations in previous roles. This is crucial for a Democratic and Member Services Officer, so demonstrating your ability to advise and influence members effectively will set you apart.
✨Practice Clear Communication
Since the role requires clear expression of ideas both orally and in writing, practice articulating your thoughts on relevant topics. Consider preparing a brief presentation or summary of a local issue to showcase your communication skills during the interview.
