APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PERSON

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PERSON

Local Government in Somerset is changing. On the 1 April 2023 the current two-tier arrangement of District and County Councils will be replaced by a new Somerset Unitary Council.

Somerset County Council and Mendip District Council are looking to appoint one person to serve as an Independent Person for the final 9 months of Mendip District Council and as a Reserve Independent Person for Somerset County Council.

The appointment of the Independent Person is a decision of full Council and the term of appointment is initially until 31 March 2023. The appointment as the Independent Person for Mendip District Council has an allowance of £1,392 per annum and as Reserve Independent Person for Somerset County Council of £500 per annum. Training will be provided prior to the commencement of the post if necessary.

The Localism Act 2011 also requires that the Councils have a process for dealing with complaints on breaches of the Code of Conduct by Elected Members at County, District and Town and Parish Council level. This must include provision for the appointment of at least one Independent Person.

The Act states that the Independent Person will have the following functions:

• They must be consulted by the Council before it makes a finding as to whether a member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct following investigation or decides on action to be taken in respect of that member
• They may be consulted by the Council in respect of a standards complaint at any other stage; and
• They may be consulted by a member or co-opted member of Mendip Council or of a Town and Parish Council against whom a complaint has been made.

Please see www.mendip.gov.uk/vacancies for the Role and Selection Criteria.

Please click 'Apply'

If you are interested in applying, please send a letter of application and your CV to:

Democratic Services, Mendip District Council
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
BA4 5BT

Or email: democraticservices@mendip.gov.uk

If you would like to discuss the opportunity please call David Clark on 01749 341539 or email: Monitoringofficer@mendip.gov.uk

Closing date: Friday 15^th July 2022