Purpose of the role

The Estate Manager is responsible for all aspects of the effective management of the Council’s portfolio of buildings and other built assets, including: long-term maintenance planning; managing facilities staff; monitoring and improving health & safety; managing all building budgets; ensuring a high standard of service for building users, tenants, and licencees; managing external contractors; and working in partnership with the Parks team to provide mutual support.

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Duties and responsibilities

1. Overall responsibility for ensuring good standards of health and safety across the Council-owned built assets.

2. Overseeing the performance, welfare and workload of estates staff.

3. To prepare agendas and reports for internal and external meetings, including Council committee meetings, and to attend the meetings to provide advice to councillors.

4. To liaise with other agencies – Police, local authorities, community groups, tenants, hirers, etc – and other members of the community to develop strategies for the improvement of Council built assets for the benefit of hirers and the community.

5. To oversee the maintenance schedule of the Council’s built assets, to ensure tasks are prioritised and carried out in a timely manner, and that the buildings are kept in a good condition.

6. Working with the Accountant and Town Sergeant to ensure all buildings have all requisite insurances, licences, and certification.

7. Working with the Communications Manager to ensure robust hire forms, policies, terms and conditions, and procedures are in place.

8. To work closely with the Parks Manager to coordinate staff support between the Parks and Estate teams, e.g. the use of Parks staff to assist with practical tasks, and Estate team staff to provide administrative support for the Parks department.

9. To work closely with the Parks Manager to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach towards the maintenance and management of all Council assets.

10. To carry out such duties as the Council may require from time to time.

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Purpose of the role

The postholder is a member of the Senior Management Team. They manage the Planning & Projects Team, which oversees all matters relating to planning and planning policy; projects to tackle the climate and nature emergencies; and administering major capital projects.

In their role as Deputy Clerk, they are responsible for providing cover in the absence of the Clerk, including providing procedural advice to members and staff, and making urgent decisions that would usually be taken by the Town Clerk.

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Duties and responsibilities

Planning & Project Manager

1. Leading on the delivery of major capital projects as and when they arise. This includes the sale of land for development at 353-357 Reading Road and the building of a new 3G pitch at Jubilee Park.

2. Managing all members of the Planning & Projects team – the Project Officers and Planning Officer – including supervising their workload, approving leave and working hours, performance management, and organising training.

3. Overseeing tasks delegated to members of the Planning & Projects team, including:

(a) Servicing the Neighbourhood Plan Committee and coordinating the review of the Neighbourhood Plan.

(b) Servicing and providing support to the Climate and Nature Emergency Advisory Group.

(c) Servicing and providing support to the Transport Strategy Group, including progressing any actions arising from the meetings.

(d) Servicing the Planning Committee, including ensuring all planning applications and other planning matters are reported to the Committee for comment; and feeding back comments to the local planning authority.

4. Undertaking continuing professional development on project management and developing community infrastructure.

5. Performing such other duties as may be required from time to time, as required by the Council.

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Deputy Clerk

1. To provide cover for the Town Clerk in their absence, including:

(a) Approving any urgent decisions usually delegated to the Town Clerk, excluding any which by law must be carried out by the Proper Officer or Responsible Finance Officer.

(b) Coordinating and attending meetings on behalf of the Town Clerk.

(c) Providing advice to councillors and staff on matters of procedure and corporate governance.

2. To keep informed of changes in law, policy and procedure affecting the Council, including attending any relevant training.

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