At a Glance
- Tasks: Support governance by managing information requests and ensuring compliance with legal obligations.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, dedicated to public service.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and access to employee perks.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a commitment to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in local governance while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills, attention to detail, and a passion for transparency in public service.
Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN11RS
Contract Type: Full Time - Permanent
Contract Details: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Help us keep good governance at the heart of local public service
Do you enjoy variety, attention to detail and working with people? Are you highly organised, passionate about transparency and public service, comfortable communicating and building relationships with colleagues at all levels and able to stay calm when managing competing priorities?
We’re looking for a proactive and confident Corporate Governance Assistant to join our friendly and supportive Policy and Governance team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. This is a key role in ensuring the Council meets its legal obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004, and the Data Protection Act 1998, while also supporting the Council’s complaints and performance management processes to ensure that they are responded to accurately, professionally and on time.
You’ll be part of a small team that works closely with services across the Council, helping to ensure we meet our legal, transparency and customer service responsibilities. No two days will be quite the same — you could be logging and coordinating Freedom of Information requests, supporting responses to data protection enquiries, helping maintain transparency information on our website, or assisting with complaints, performance and risk reporting.
This is a great opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills, excellent attention to detail and a genuine interest in public service, transparency and doing things properly.
What you’ll be doing
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for all access to information requests.
- Log, coordinate, and respond to FOI, EIR, and Subject Access Requests, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines.
- Redact and assess information for disclosure, applying exemptions where necessary.
- Maintain accurate records and produce performance statistics on information requests and complaints.
- Manage and update the Council’s Transparency pages, publication scheme, and disclosure log.
- Support the final stage of the Council’s complaints process and liaise with the Local Government Ombudsman.
- Assist with corporate performance and risk reporting.
What we’re looking for
- Experience handling complaints and customer feedback.
- Strong administrative background.
- Proven ability to meet tight deadlines in a complex environment.
- Experience working in a politically sensitive setting.
- Previous experience dealing with FOI requests or applying relevant sections of the FOI or Data Protection Acts.
Qualifications & Training
Knowledge & Skills
- Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).
- Ideally, experience using a case management system.
- Strong interest in the transparency agenda and public access to information.
- Awareness of relevant legislation (FOI, DPA, EIR).
- High standard of literacy and numeracy.
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Ability to produce high-quality written correspondence and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong customer service skills and the ability to handle sensitive or distressed customers with diplomacy and calm.
Personal Attributes
- Confident, enthusiastic, and self‑motivated.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Comfortable building relationships with colleagues at all levels.
- Customer‑focused with a commitment to service excellence.
You’ll be joining a supportive and friendly team, where people value the variety of the work and work well together.
We offer:
- An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure. A starting salary of £26,060 increasing to £26,746 after one year’s service and increasing to £27,342 upon completion of two years in post (subject to managerial approval).
- 22 days annual leave (increasing to 27 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%).
- Free staff parking.
- Hybrid working after successful completion of the probation period.
- Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
- Development: corporate training, e-learning, on‑the‑job learning and work shadowing.
- Access to HAPI an all‑in‑one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
If you’re organised, people‑focused and ready to play an important part in supporting governance at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, we’d love to hear from you.
Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Safeguarding
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
Contract Details
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Working Hours
37
Salary
£26,060 per annum
Job Category
Administrative/Clerical
Location
Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Corporate Governance Assistant in Royal Tunbridge Wells employer: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is an excellent employer that prioritises good governance and transparency in public service. With a supportive work culture, competitive salary structure, and opportunities for professional development, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to the community. The Council also offers attractive benefits such as generous annual leave, hybrid working options, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Governance Assistant in Royal Tunbridge Wells
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We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Governance Assistant in Royal Tunbridge Wells
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
