Deputy Chief Legal Officer (Deputy Monitoring Officer)
Westmorland and Furness Council
£81,049 - £83,933 + £10,000 market supplement
Westmorland & Furness is one of England’s newest unitary authorities, established in 2023 and covering a stunning geography from Barrow-in-Furness to Penrith, taking in Kendal and the surrounding Lake District communities. The Council brought together the former district councils of Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland alongside services from the former Cumbria County Council, and is now focused on building a modern, confident organisation with its own distinct identity.
A new Chief Executive, Miranda Cannon, was appointed in January 2026 with a clear mandate to accelerate improvement, strengthen governance and modernise the council’s approach to service delivery. There is real energy and ambition across the organisation, and for a legal services leader looking to make their mark, this is a brilliant opportunity to shape how a new council works, makes decisions and serves its communities.
THE ROLE
As Deputy Chief Legal Officer (Deputy Monitoring Officer), you will work alongside the Chief Legal & Monitoring Officer to lead a broad portfolio covering Democratic Services, Elections, Member Support, Information Governance and Constitutional leadership. You will regularly deputise for the Monitoring Officer, providing authoritative advice to elected members and senior officers on governance, standards, conduct and decision-making.
The Council is still maturing its governance arrangements following reorganisation, and member expectations are evolving as committee and scrutiny systems bed in. This is a dynamic and fast-moving environment that needs someone who can operate confidently in politically sensitive situations, bring sound judgement and build strong, constructive relationships with Members across very different localities.
Joint mayoral elections and all-out local elections are scheduled for 2027, and Democratic Services, Elections and Member Support all need clear leadership and direction. Working alongside the Chief Legal & Monitoring Officer, you will play a central role in preparing the council for the next electoral cycle, ensuring that governance arrangements, democratic processes and member support are all in strong shape well ahead of the polls.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real impact, this is it. The portfolio is broad, the corporate and political exposure is genuine, and this is a new ownership moment for the right person. You will have real scope to put your stamp on how governance works across the council and establish yourself as a key leader within a new and ambitious unitary authority.
INFORMATION
For further details, please click on the role profile and useful links below, or for more information please contact Tim Farr on 07756 293292 or tim.farr@starfishsearch.com
ROLE PROFILETimeline
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Longlisting: 19th or 22nd May 2026
Technical Interviews: 27th May 2026
Psychometric Assessment: w/c 1st June 2026
Final Interviews: w/c 8th June 2026
How to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
- A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.
If our client is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you would like to apply under the scheme, please state that clearly at the top of your supporting statement, along with any adjustments you require to be made if invited for interview.
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