Independent Person – Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Castle Point Borough Council
Castle Point Borough Council
Fixed Term, Part Time
£582 per annum
Location: Castle Point
Closing Date: 26th March 2025
Please note this is a role of an Independent Person – Overview & Scrutiny Committee, paying a fixed allowance of £582 per annum for each year of appointment, together with the reimbursement of travel expenses.
Why Castle Point? Castle Point Borough Council is a statutory body responsible for employing nearly 350 staff, and delivering over 150 council services, both statutory and for the community's well-being and benefit. Castle Point Borough Council aims to provide high-quality and financially sustainable services while prioritising outstanding customer service, transparency in decision-making, and promoting local democracy. Additionally, the council seeks to transform, modernize, and improve its performance, as well as support and enable the communities within its jurisdiction to be strong, healthy, and thriving.
Our values: Trust, Respect, Improving and Learning, and Customer Focus
We wish to appoint two Independent Persons.
The Opportunity
· To be an independent non-voting member of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, providing external challenge and support.
· To prepare for each meeting by reading the agenda papers and additional information to familiarise yourself with the issue under scrutiny. Prior to the meeting to consider the questions you may wish to put to Cabinet Members, Officers and external witnesses.
· To act as a non-party political voice.
· To provide challenge and ask questions that draw out relevant facts and explanations.
· To bring specialist knowledge and/or skills to the scrutiny process and/or to bring an element of external challenge.
· To seek understanding and provide solutions.
· To establish good relations with other members, officers and co-opted members.
· To abide by the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution relating to the rules and procedures for scrutiny, committee proceedings and the Code of Conduct.
Confidentiality
The Independent Person(s) will regularly consider sensitive personal data and will be expected to sign a confidentiality agreement to comply with data protection law.
Selection
We will shortlist based on application and selection will be by an interview with a panel chaired by the chair of the Council’s Standards Committee.
The interview is likely to take place in the week commencing 7 April 2025 – if this causes you difficulty then please indicate that in your application
Person Specification
· A keen and genuine interest in achieving improvements in public services for local people.
· The ability to communicate effectively and build good relations with other members and officers.
· A respect for confidentiality.
· Respect for the views of others and the ability to consider issues in a fair and non-judgmental way.
· The ability to problem-solve and look for innovative new ways of working that will achieve improvements in services.
· An interest in local government and those areas within the remit of the committee.
· An awareness of the key priorities for Castle Point Borough Council in providing services to local people.
· The need for a high degree of sensitivity and discretion.
· Effective interpersonal skills, in particular strong influencing and communication skills.
· An ability to analyse evidence, to question written and verbal reports and to come to rational and well-evidenced conclusions.
· Good IT skills including the ability to access reports and information electronically.
· The ability to work as part of a team and contribute to the work of the committee.
· The ability to demonstrate objectivity, integrity and discretion in decision- making.
· A commitment to Equality and Diversity.
Under the Localism Act 2011, you are unable to apply to be an Independent Person where rules apply.
Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be a disability confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
Castle Point Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
To see the Terms of Reference for the CPBC Overview & Scrutiny Committee, as well as the rules to be eligible to become a CPBC Independent Person of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee please email Democraticservices@castlepoint.gov.uk or sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk