Planning Lawyer

We are LWMTS, a company wholly owned by Lichfield District Council. A local authority in the Heart of England that provides local services to over 100,000 residents. Our District is a beautiful place to live and work, with its historic city centre which has the impressive Lichfield Cathedral and is the birthplace of Samuel Johnson.

We are hiring for an experienced Planning Lawyer to provide high level and proactive expert Planning related legal advice to officers within Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS), on behalf of the Council. These services include, but are not limited to, S106 and CIL legal agreements, support and attendance at Planning Committee meetings, highway matters, BNG, representation and support at Planning appeals.

You will report to the Director of Planning & Regeneration and underpin the work of the wider planning team. You will also form part of the newly formed planning consultancy on a commercial basis and assist in the delivery of bespoke legal services to external clients.

• Provide legal advice on all issues arising, including planning, regeneration, highways, and contractual matters on behalf of the Council and LWMTS, and provide expert legal services to external clients.
• Advise on and draft documentation in connection with complex planning and other related matters.
• Advise on the Council’s and LWMTS’ powers and its decision-making process and ensure the legality of its decision making.
• Proactively support the Director of Planning and Regeneration in promoting and delivering commercial consultancy services and in income generation.
• Advise and lead on corporate and strategic legal work, including major projects and cross departmental initiatives.
• Provide high level input to the Council’s and LWMTS’ policies and help develop and implement the Corporate Strategy and the performance framework alongside existing policies, strategies, and targets.
• Deal with complex individual casework and conduct litigation arising in your area of responsibility.
• Be the main contact and liaison for any Counsel-led advice required.
• Take a lead in developing policy and good practice and monitor the impact of legal policy across the specialist areas.

• Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX.
• Well-developed understanding of planning law and practice.
• Track record of achievement in a similarly large and complex organisation.
• Good knowledge of planning law affecting local government and its trends in the UK.
• Proven track record of working in a local authority and/or private practice setting.
• Experience of providing advice to members of a Council / Board Members on legal issues both in public meetings, through presentation briefing reports etc.
• Experience of contributing to corporate decision making and development of corporate policy and strategy.

• Ability to personally manage all matters within the post holder’s area of responsibility and to carry a caseload of work.
• Ability to provide legal advice in a manner which supports clients in achieving their organisational objectives.
• Communicating and influencing skills.
• Contribute to the longer-term development of the service area.
• Demonstrates a personal commitment to high standards of public service, honesty and integrity and professionalism.
• Able to write concise, effective reports for varying audiences including elected members.
• High level analytical skills to identify issues and develop responses and solutions.

You will also benefit from a fantastic salary package including Private Health Care, Pension contribution, Free parking, Hybrid working, fabulous, refurbished offices in a central location. Plus, more! Be part of our growing team and amazing culture.

NOTE: All offers of employment are conditional offers subject to satisfactory clearances which include:

• Two satisfactory references covering the last 3 years of employment.
• Evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom; and
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if applicable.

WHAT NEXT? To be considered for this exciting new opportunity, please send your CV and Supporting statement to Hannah.fox@lwmts.co.uk. If you need any support with completing your application, or any part of the recruitment process, please contact hannah.fox@lwmts.co.uk so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments. We look forward to hearing from you.