Recruitment
- RECRUITMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE - ADVANCE NOTICE
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CLERK TO THE BOARD - JOB ADVERTISEMENT
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CLERK TO THE BOARD - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CLERK TO THE BOARD - JOB DESCRIPTION
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CLERK TO THE BOARD - APPLICATION FORM
RECRUITMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Market Weighton Drainage Board and Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board will very shortly be advertising for a Chief Executive to lead on amalgamation of the two existing IDBs to form a new unified Board.
The proposed amalgamation of the two Boards stems from the Defra IDB Review Implementation Plan details of which are explained in a Notice to Ratepayers which can be found on the 'NEWS' page.
A full application pack will soon be available on this site. This is a demanding senior position which provides a rare opportunity to help shape a new organisation going forward. Anyone interested may lodge an expression of interest at this stage. Please contact Mr P Clark, Clerk to Market Weighton Drainage Board, on 01759 302115 for further details or informal discussion.
MARKET WEIGHTON DRAINAGE BOARD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
(Clerk Designate to Proposed New IDB)
C. £40k - £50k negotiable plus benefits
Market Weighton DB and Lower Ouse IDB propose to amalgamate to form a unified sub-catchment Board. The combined Board area covers 34000 Ha situated in the rural county of East Yorkshire.
As Chief Executive you will lead the amalgamation process helping to shape the new organisation while simultaneously acting as Clerk to one or both existing Boards until the new Board is established.
You will have good leadership skills with ability to manage change. Ideally you will have experience of asset management in drainage and flood risk and also in public sector finance and administration. A professional qualification in a relevant discipline is desirable.
Salary related to qualifications and experience. Benefits include local government pension scheme and essential user car allowance.
An application pack containing further details can be obtained from The Clerk, Market Weighton Drainage Board, Burnby Hall, Pocklington, York YO42 2QF. Tel: 01759 302115 or can be found at www.marketweighton-idb.org . Closing date for applications is 12 January 2010.
WITH LOWER OUSE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CLERK TO THE BOARD (DESIGNATE)
Salary negotiable £40000 - £50000 plus benefits
Introduction
Market Weighton Drainage Board and Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board have recently agreed to amalgamate to form a unified sub-catchment Board the name of which has yet to be determined. This follows requirements laid down by the Minister of State following publication of the Defra IDB Review Implementation Plan. The two Boards now seek to recruit a Chief Executive who will be Clerk to the Board (designate) of the proposed amalgamated Board. This person will then guide the two existing Boards through the re-organisational process leading to the establishment of the proposed new statutory body which the appointee will then manage. In doing so the appointed person will have the support of existing staff. While this lengthy process of change is taking place the appointee will also act as Clerk to one or both of the existing Boards carrying out the normal day to day functions required of an Internal Drainage Board.
N.B. In the text which follows any reference to ‘Board’ may be taken to mean either of the two existing Boards or any new amalgamated Board which may be formed.
Background
Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) are statutory public bodies operating under the Land Drainage Act 1991 and 1994. Many present day IDBs are successors to original drainage commissioners dating back several centuries. IDBs were established to provide effective land drainage to low lying areas of land some of which are at or below sea level. The provision of land drainage and flood defence systems makes use and habitation of land possible facilitating economic growth in areas vulnerable to flooding and waterlogging. The work of IDBs serves both urban and rural areas providing for flood relief while enabling efficient agricultural production simultaneously providing for conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
Market Weighton Drainage Board
Lower Ouse Internal Drainage Board
The two existing neighbouring IDBs are situated on the western side of the East Yorkshire wolds reaching as far as the East Riding county boundary contiguous with River Derwent. Market Weighton Drainage Board dates back to a 1772 Act of Parliament which empowered the original drainage commissioners to construct the Market Weighton Canal and which created the early pattern of drainage helping local communities to become established. Lower Ouse IDB was formed in 1951 by amalgamation of seven smaller Boards which date back over two centuries. The landscape of the area is mainly rural agriculture with centres of industry and commerce within or close to the drainage district. There are numerous small villages, extensive road and rail links, utility service networks, together with several notable sites of conservation interest. The two existing IDBs front onto the lower river Ouse and the upper Humber estuary extending between Barmby on the Marsh and Brough. Water drains into the area from adjacent uplands. Key facts are as follows: -
| Lower Ouse IDB | Market Weighton DB | Combined | |
| Area | 14000 Ha | 20000 Ha | 34000 Ha |
| Watercourses | 181 km | 193 km | 374 km |
| Pumping Stations | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| Clough Outfalls | 23 | 9 | 32 |
| Board Members | 24 | 22 | - |
| Staff | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Manuals | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Policy and strategy of the Board is the responsibility of members some of whom are elected by agricultural ratepayers, the remainder being appointed by the Unitary authority. The Clerk to the Board (Chief Executive) will provide all necessary guidance and advice to the Board including preparation of papers, recording of minutes and will implement determined actions. The post holder will have considerable delegated responsibility for effectively getting on with the job.
The Work of the Board
The work of the Board can be summarised as being:
a) The operating authority of a complex arterial surface water drainage system, and;
b) The regulator of all aspects of water level control within the drainage district in accordance with the Land Drainage Act 1991 together with local byelaws.
The Land Drainage Act empowers the Board to undertake works to construct and maintain watercourses, including pumping stations and other water control facilities. The Board operates a programme of routine cyclic maintenance and has an ongoing capital works programme mainly covering pumping station refurbishment and renewal together with other improvement works. Manual work is routinely carried out by the Board’s own direct labour workforce. A limited amount of machine work is carried out in house but for the most part machine work is sub-contracted to local specialist contractors on an annual tender basis. Consulting Engineers are normally engaged for the preparation of any major capital projects. In respect of regulation the Board freely provides advice to residents and occupiers of land in dealing with and hopefully helping to resolve any problems which may exist. The Board also seeks to ensure, through dialogue with the Environment Agency, that all main rivers critical in serving the drainage district are maintained in a satisfactory state fit for all user purposes.
The Main Issues
The two existing Boards are presently facing a number of significant challenges, many of which will carry forward into the proposed new amalgamated Board when it is formed. These issues are briefly summarised as: -
- Continuing Development. Increasing surface water run off.
- Climate Change. Rising sea levels and increased fluvial and pluvial flows.
- Food Security. Requirement for increased efficiency in domestic agricultural production.
- Drain and River Maintenance. Essential in dealing with flood flows and for ensuring efficient agriculture.
- Funding Reductions. Prioritisation systems currently biased against works in rural areas.
- Environmental Legislation. Increasingly onerous legislative requirements which inhibit essential land drainage work.
- Defra Review of IDBs. Major re-organisational change with potential risk of disruption to basic services.
- Draft Flood and Water Management Bill. Major statutory reform presents potential risk to services provided by IDBs.
- Pitt Review Recommendations. Lack of recognition of the importance of rural watercourses in providing flood relief.
- Catchment Flood Management Plans. Proposed withdrawal of maintenance on rural watercourses.
The Chief Executive of the new amalgamated Board will be required to focus on these interrelated threats and challenges and to guide the Board towards achieving successful outcomes on these and all future issues for the overall benefit of the local community.
Location
Market Weighton DB offices are presently located in the market town of Pocklington some 12 miles east of York. Lower Ouse IDB offices are located in the town of Howden 4 miles north of the Port of Goole. There is a distance of 17 miles between the two offices. During the run up to amalgamation the Chief Officer will find it necessary to attend both offices. When the two Boards initially bring their administration together into a single unit the most likely scenario is that this will be based at Howden. The longer-term scenario is that the new Board may consider sourcing new accommodation central to the combined area. The Chief Executive will be involved in advising the Board regarding options to be pursued.
Job Description
A detailed job description is attached separately.
Terms and Conditions
The starting salary will be determined according to experience and qualifications. Salary and conditions of service are in accordance with the Association of Drainage Authorities Lincolnshire Branch Scheme of Conditions of Service.
An essential user car allowance will apply to this post payable in accordance with the ADA (Lincs) scheme conditions. The terms of use will be in accordance with the MWDB Rules relating to motor vehicle allowances. The post holder must hold a full driving licence and be prepared to make a vehicle available for use on the business of the Board for the purpose of travelling between various sites and offices and the vehicle must be comprehensively insured for such use. A home telephone allowance is also payable.
The appointee will be automatically enrolled into the East Riding Local Government Pension Scheme unless the appointee elects to opt out of the scheme. It may be possible to transfer an existing occupational pension fund into the LGPS. Details on request.
Before appointment is confirmed a satisfactory medical report must be submitted. The Board will reimburse the reasonable cost of obtaining such report.
The appointee will be required to reside within reasonable travelling distance of the Boards operational centre and must be prepared to visit any site within the drainage district. The basic working week is 37 hours Monday to Friday with annual holiday entitlement of up to 30 days. The post holder will occasionally be expected to work outside normal hours as and when necessary in attending meetings, supervising contracts and dealing with emergencies etc noting that the salary band is above the overtime limit.
Termination of the post will be by three months notice by either side.
Summary
The successful candidate must have the ability and experience to assimilate to the role of managing one or both of the existing Boards dealing with all legalities and technicalities while developing an understanding of the practical workings of the local land drainage systems. This will be a steep learning curve while also having the vision to take forward the process of change. This will include leading on amalgamation procedures, developing new management systems while reorganising existing arrangements and bringing all good practice together under one roof. The appointee will have the support of existing staff but conversely the Chief Executive will need to support staff through the transitional period while also dealing with all other ongoing matters. The final outcome must be a fully functioning unified IDB which meets all requirements of central government and the expectations of local ratepayers in providing an effective land drainage and environmentally friendly water level management service to the whole community.
Appointment Procedure
Applications on the form provided must be returned fully completed and marked CONFIDENTIAL to P Clark, Clerk to the Board, Market Weighton Drainage Board, Burnby Hall, Pocklington, York, YO42 2QF by 12 January 2010. Anyone considering making application is welcome to telephone Mr Clark on 01759 302115 if they wish to discuss any particular issues.
It is anticipated that a short list of suitable candidates will be invited to attend for initial interview by an appointed panel of Board Members.
For more information on the two existing Drainage Boards please visit the respective Board web sites at: - www.marketweighton-idb.org www.loidb.co.uk
PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF MARKET WEIGHTON DRAINAGE BOARD
WITH LOWER OUSE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Chief Executive and Clerk to the Board (designate)
Salary Grade: £40626 - £50394 (negotiable) Starting salary dependent on qualifications and experience.
Qualifications: Ideally the holder of a recognised professional (chartered) qualification in a relevant discipline e.g legal, financial, engineering, etc with ideally 5 years post qualification experience at a senior level.
Employed by:
1. Initially employed by one of the two existing Boards.
2. Upon establishment of the proposed amalgamated Board employment will transfer to the new Board (title yet to be determined).
Reports to:
1. Initially reports to the two existing Boards through a Joint Board Management Committee representing both existing Boards.
2. Upon establishment of the proposed amalgamated Board will report to the new Board (title yet to be determined).
Job Remit:
- Initially the appointed person will act as Clerk to one or both existing Boards managing and undertaking all functions required of an Internal Drainage Board.
- Simultaneously providing guidance and assistance to a Joint Board Management Committee in proceeding with the proposed amalgamation of the two existing IDBs to form a unified sub-catchment Board. This will include introducing all re-organisational changes including transfer and assimilation of all existing employees.
- Upon establishment of the proposed amalgamated Board the post holder will become Chief Executive and Clerk to the Board of the unified IDB. This will include developing the newly formed body into an organisation which quickly becomes accepted both locally and nationally as meeting all requirements in delivering an effective land drainage and water level management service to the whole community.
Job Summary:
- To guide and implement the strategic goals, objectives and policies of the Board.
- To ensure that the Board fulfils its legal and governance obligations.
- To provide leadership, direction and management of the day-to-day activities of the Board.
Experience Requirements:
- Ideally five years experience at a senior management level in the public sector or related fields.
- Previous experience in financial control, engineering asset and project management particularly in flood risk, land drainage and water level management is desirable. Hands on experience of IT systems would also be useful.
- Experience in managing change, working with partner organisations, environmental awareness and diplomacy is also desirable.
Major Functions
- Board Administration: Responsible for Board administration within the legal framework. Provides support and advice to the Board and implements Board policy.
- Human Resource Management: Responsible for the effective management of Board employees in accordance with procedures and policy conforming to current legislation.
- Financial Management: Responsible for financial control of Board income and expenditure in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations and proper practice in meeting budgetary requirements. Will proceed to introduce use of compliant computerised accounting package and use of an industry standard computerised rating system.
- Facilities Management: Responsible for effective operation and maintenance of Board facilities including offices, depots, pumping stations, adopted drainage channels and all other assets in a state fit for purpose and meeting required standards of Health and Safety. Will develop use of electronic database inspection and recording procedures for reporting condition of watercourses, structures and pumping station equipment.
- Service Delivery: Responsible for the inspection of Board managed drainage systems, for programming maintenance and improvement work, securing funding, and overseeing contractors, consultants and employees in delivering an effective annual programme of maintenance work together with a forward programme of capital works all to a good standard of performance. Will proceed to develop a coherent and costed asset management plan identifying maintenance for all watercourses, capital refurbishment and replacement of pumping stations and structures and works to environmentally sensitive sites. These plans will need to take account of the impact of climate change. Investment terms of 5 years, 5 to 10 years and 10 to 20 years will need to be considered. Schemes will need to be prioritised for studies in support of application for grant.
- Public Relationships: Responsible for establishing good relationships with Board ratepayers and partner organisations in meeting their expectations and dealing with problems while achieving the Boards overall objectives (i.e. doing the impossible!).
Specific Functions
A detailed list of specific duties which the Clerk to the Board will either be directly involved with or will oversee is available as an appendix to this job description and will be provided on request. This list is intended for information only and is not wholly exclusive.
Explanatory Note
Given the transitional nature of the appointment any reference to the ‘Board’ mentioned above may be taken to mean either of the two existing Boards or any new amalgamated Board which may be formed. The proposed amalgamation has the support of Defra, however, if due to any unforeseen circumstances the process of amalgamation fails the initial appointment with one of the existing Boards will continue until circumstances change.
October 2009
If you wish to apply for the post of Chief Executive and Clerk to the Board, please print off and complete the following form in pdf format or alternatively complete the form in Microsoft Word format and then print the completed form. The form should be returned to P. Clark, Clerk to the Board, Market Weighton Drainage Board, Burnby Hall, Pocklington, York, YO42 2QF. The closing date for applications is 12 January 2010.
Application form for post of Chief Executive and Clerk to the Board - Word format
Application form for post of Chief Executive and Clerk to the Board - pdf format
Published: 18 Sep 09
Author: Market Weighton Drainage Board