Overview
Our Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Car Lease scheme
- Payment of professional subscription / membership – If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
- Employee Assistance Programme – We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
- Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
- Making a difference – If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people’s lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.
About the role
The position of Definitive Map Officer is required to fulfil West Northamptonshire Council’s statutory duties and powers in respect of public rights of way in accordance with, in particular, the Highways Act 1980 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The post holder will oversee any legal changes to the rights of way network in West Northamptonshire and ensures that at all times the legal integrity of the Definitive Map and Statement (the legal record of rights of way) is preserved so that the Council is protected from legal action taken by either the Secretary of State or members of the public. The legislation regarding public rights of way and Definitive Maps is both broad and complex and the post holder provides a specialist advisory service to a wide range of stakeholders.
What will you be doing?
To prepare periodic Legal Event Orders (‘LEOs’) and ensure the accurate preparation and publication (by legal order) of the periodic consolidation of the Definitive Map and Statement. Any inaccuracies could result in costly legal claims being made against the Council.
To investigate applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders (‘DMMOs’) and Public Path Orders (‘PPOs’) in detail so that the Council is protected from successful legal challenges to its decision making process.
To produce reports with recommendations for the officer with the relevant delegated powers, and draft any subsequent legal Orders. If the reports are not thorough and accurate this can lead to legal challenges and unnecessary costs for the Council and/or applicant.
To prepare the Council’s case for written representations, public hearings or public inquiries if there are objections to Orders (either DMMOs or PPOs) to try to ensure that the inquiry inspector confirms the Council’s Order and that the Council is protected from excessive costs claims. To give evidence and be cross-examined as an expert witness in courts of all levels and public inquiries in order to execute the Council’s legal responsibilities in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
To ensure accurate rights of way registers and records are created, kept and maintained to ensure that the Council meets it statutory obligations in this regard. A significant amount of the records are kept on the Council’s website and GIS system. The maintaining of these records ensures compliance with the Council’s best practice policies and procedures, thereby enhancing the Council’s service to the public. The post holder conducts rights of way searches and provides signed legal extracts of the Definitive Map (which may be used as legal evidence).
To work with West Northamptonshire planning departments by providing expert, professional advice to their legal teams in the making and confirming of PPOs under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in order to protect the legal integrity of the routes on the Definitive Map.
To contribute to the content and policies within the local Rights of Way Improvement Plan and Local Transport Plan in order to set targets for the next five years.
To examine, review, advise on and accept Landowner Deposits to ensure that they cannot be called into question at a later date, thereby protecting the landowner and the integrity of the Council.
About you
You will be skilled at report writing and able to draft Orders or legally binding agreements such as Definitive Map Modification Orders, Public Path Orders and Deed of Dedication and have an excellent eye for detail.
You will have a good understanding of the legal and historical background to the Definitive Map with good knowledge of highway, environmental or land law. A working knowledge of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Highways Act 1980 and earlier Highways Acts in so much as these are concerned with public rights of way is essential. You will have good IT skills and the ability to use GIS applications.
You will be a Member of IPROW (Institute of Public Rights of Way)
You will have good interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with third party organisations and the public
About us
We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government
reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey
to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and
communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great
place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to
make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance,
Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver
services.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with
ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail,
and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A
place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-
minded people.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and
challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
