Lawyer - Planning in Milton Keynes

We’re recruiting a Lawyer - Planning to join our Legal and Democratic Services team at Milton Keynes City Council. Milton Keynes is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and our legal team plays a vital role in helping shape that growth, supporting major developments, infrastructure projects, highways matters and the delivery of services that make our city a better place to live.

Our organisation is driven by a clear purpose: creating cleaner, safer and healthier communities, supporting economic growth, tackling inequalities, delivering affordable homes and taking action on climate change. As a Planning Lawyer, you’ll manage a varied and rewarding caseload covering planning law, highways law and related matters, providing high-quality legal advice and representation that helps the Council achieve its objectives. You’ll work alongside experienced legal professionals, planners and senior colleagues while contributing to a collaborative One Council approach.

We’re looking for a qualified legal professional who can bring specialist knowledge, sound judgement and a commitment to delivering excellent public services. In return, we offer flexible working including some home working, a supportive culture, professional development opportunities and the chance to make a visible difference to Milton Keynes and its residents. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site.

Main Responsibility:

• Deliver high-quality legal advice on planning obligations, highways agreements and related legal matters.
• Draft and negotiate legal agreements that support development, infrastructure and highways improvements across Milton Keynes.
• Support Planning and Highways colleagues by giving clear, practical and timely legal guidance.
• Lead on your own caseload, managing priorities carefully and keeping matters moving.
• Work collaboratively with internal colleagues, developers, external legal representatives and other partners.
• Contribute to accurate legal records, strong governance and decisions that reflect the needs of the city.

The Ideal Candidate:

• A qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive with relevant experience in planning and highways law.
• Your ability to explain legal issues clearly will help colleagues and partners make well-informed decisions.
• Experience of drafting and negotiating legal agreements will support high-quality development across the city.
• Confidence when managing a varied caseload will help you balance deadlines, detail and service needs.
• A collaborative approach will help you work positively with colleagues across Planning, Highways and Legal and Democratic Services.
• Clear judgement, respect for others and a dedicated approach will help you reflect our values every day.

Package Description:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low-cost leasing of electric and low-emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you.

Roles are either 'site based' or 'home based'. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.

About The Organisation:

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.