Leader of the Council
Purpose
- To provide effective political leadership and strategic direction for the Council.
- To provide coherence, direction and focus to the overall programme of the council.
- To manage relationships with external partners and regional agencies such as other Councils, the Regional Assembly, Local Government Yorkshire & the Humber, Government Office.
- To provide a clear focus and direction to the Corporate Management Team, agreeing their priorities.
- To build and lead an effective team approach with the Council Chairman and Committee Chairmen.
Duties & Responsibilities
- To provide the political leadership to the Council, including proposing the framework of policy priorities within which the Council will operate.
- As Leader of the Council, to be the key contact for outside organisations (including Central Government, Local Authority Associations and Council partners).
- To be the representative voice of the Council, for example, in its dealings with Central Government, other Local Authorities and their Associations and to positively promote the Council as a whole in the media.
- To communicate the Administration’s policies and priorities to the Corporate Management Team and to receive their advice.
- To ensure effective Corporate Governance including working with opposition groups to seek to achieve where possible cross party cooperation and consensus.
- To act as press/media contact for corporate and cross-cutting issues.
Skills required
- Effective leadership skills.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- A good understanding of how local and national government operates, including the statutory and financial frameworks.
- A clear understanding of the purpose and operation of the Council, including the economic and social profile of Ryedale.
- Business and financial acumen, including the ability to understand and provide direction to the Council’s budgets.
- The ability to work effectively with Council officers, the public, the media and outside organisations.
- Excellent political knowledge and awareness.
- Media Relations skills.