Saturday 23 April 2016

Brent Council advertises for Standards Committee Independent Members

From Jobs Go Public LINK

 

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Standards Committee Independent Members

Employer: Brent Council

Salary range: £423 p.a. inc. Contract: Fixed term (2 years subject to confirmation by Full Council each year) Hours of work: As and when required Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time

At the Heart of Brent 

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.   The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.  

The Post       

Brent Council is seeking to strengthen its corporate governance arrangements by appointing two additional Independent Members to its Standards Committee. The Council’s Standards Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by members (including co-opted members) of Brent Council. In particular, the Standards Committee has a key role to play in monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Brent Council Members’ Code of Conduct which sets the standards of conduct expected of its members when they act in an official capacity.

The Person   

The successful candidates will have a keen interest in standards in public life and a wish to serve the local community and uphold local democracy. They will have sound decision making skills and be able to maintain independence, impartiality and integrity at all times.   Closing Date: 8 May 2016 (23:59) Assessment & Interview Date:  w/c 16 May 2016

Additional Information 

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.   Applications are particularly welcome from people with a disability as they are under represented across the council.
All organisations and individuals who work with children and young people, or are involved in providing services for them have a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare.   We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Before you join Brent Council, you will need to provide your National Insurance (NI) number and undergo a Home Office Standard I.D. check.   Please note CVs will not be considered as part of your application for this position.   More Info:   Job Description   Click Here For Disabled Applicants  

Apply Now




1 comment:

Philip Grant said...

Do you have to fill in a job application form, and be interviewed for, any other Independent Member position on a Brent Council committee, such as Scrutiny?

In order to find out more about the job description etc., I used the LINK at the top of this blog article. The documents included a copy of the application form, which when you have filled it in tells you:

'Please return this application form by ?? April 2016 addressed to:

'

Very (un)helpful to anyone who would actually like to apply in writing, rather than online!

The idea to have two additional Independent Members of Standards Committee (there is currently a single, non-voting, Independent Member) came "out of the blue" in a report by the Monitoring Officer to the Standards Committee meeting on 21 March. I made the following comment about this suggestion at the time:

'Fiona Alderman makes a very good case for more Independent Members on the committee:

"The role of the Independent Member strengthens the Council’s corporate governance arrangements and, in particular, adds greater objectivity and legitimacy to decision making. Independent Members provide an independent and external perspective on Member conduct and standards issues in relation to setting standards for Members’ conduct and enforcing those standards in the event of a complaint."

However, under our Monitoring Officer's current practices, having additional Independent Members would be "window dressing", as for the past two years no complaints against Members have actually been referred to Standards Committee!'

Philip.