Chief Executive Application Pack | Newry, Mourne and Down District
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Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chief Executive Application Pack Ag freastal ar an Dún agus Ard Mhacha Theas Serving Down and South Armagh 2 Chief Executive Application Pack Message from the 2 Council Chairman 4 Newry, Mourne and Down District at a Glance 6 Location and Connectivity: How to Get Here Councillor Mark Murnin Chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down 7 Key Achievements: District Council Four Years On Organisational Structure 8 Dear Applicant I am delighted that you are considering applying for the Job Description 9 position of Chief Executive with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. 12 Person Specification Leading the third largest Council in Northern Ireland, Competency Framework 14 which serves over 177,000 residents is an exciting challenge as we begin a new Summary of Main Terms 15 Council term, following the and Conditions local council elections held in May 2019, and we start Guidance Notes 17 working in a new political and economic environment. 20 Local Government Reform Information (RPA) 21 General Information www.newrymournedown.org 3 Message from the Council Chairman Not only is Newry, Mourne and Down We have placed, and continue to place, great We also have plans to transform and District Council one of the largest councils emphasis on regeneration for our city and modernise the way the Council provides in Northern Ireland, it is strategically located towns. Newry City will see a new civic centre, accessible as well as value for money on the important eastern A1/M1 economic new conferencing and enhanced theatre services. Our Neighbourhood Services corridor and is an attractive area for business facilities - our aim is to complete these Transformation Project will deliver improved investment, both local and international. We projects by early 2022. Within the historic service and citizen experience, standardise are within one hour travelling distance from town of Downpatrick, we are working with service provision across the Council district Dublin and Belfast, with close proximity to Government departments to renovate the and ensure people, equipment and money two major airports, a deep-water port, and former police station and surrounding area, are efficiently deployed. Already we have transport routes which link us throughout bringing much needed hotel and Grade A improved the way we recycle—all councils Ireland to the UK. office accommodation. are required to recycle 50% of waste by 2020 and we are nearing this important milestone. Boasting three Areas of Outstanding Natural Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Over the past year we have reduced the Beauty, we pride ourselves on being a is also one of six local councils to secure the amount of waste going to landfill by 60% and premier destination for local, national and first ever City Deal agreement. This initiative, we will be implementing new initiatives to international visitors. Our coastline and our which is expected to bring approximately increase that. rich cultural heritage, which we showcase £1 billion into the participating councils, will every year in a growing number of festivals help to build the economy through more We are implementing a £7.1 million and events, make us an attractive place to localised and focused investment decision- programme to fundamentally change how visit, work and live in. making. we use information technology, both within the Council itself and to communicate As a forward-looking Council we have signed The Council will face both challenges and with residents. This project, which will be an important Friendship Agreement with opportunities over the next years—our completed over the next few years, will make the City of Changchun in the Jilin province new Chief Executive will play a large role it easier for our citizens to engage with our of China which is aimed at fostering in expanding the district’s services and services and will also ensure that we use our opportunities in trade, culture, education and opportunities for economic and regional resources efficiently and effectively. tourism. Since this was signed in October development. 2018, the Council has hosted a senior We are beginning a new cycle for the delegation from the provincial government, Some of the initiatives we are engaged in development of our Corporate Plan 2019- a delegation from the China Ministry of include furthering our relationship with the 2023, this is an exciting time for our district, Commerce and a postgraduate delegation City of Changchun, China, developing the it presents opportunities for the new Chief from one of Jilin University’s hospitals. Southern Relief Road which will improve Executive to make a real contribution to access to Dublin and throughout Ireland, Newry, Mourne and Down’s development. We have also fostered international working with partners in Government locally relationships: we have a Sister City and with the EU to deliver projects funded We are looking for a highly motivated, skilled Agreement with Southern Pines in North through INTERREG, PEACE, the European and dynamic leader to continue to bring the Carolina USA and a Twinning Agreement Regional Development Fund, the European Council’s ambitious plans to fruition while, with Kirovsk in Russia – agreements Maritime and Fisheries Fund. at the same time, maintain and improve the established to promote friendship and programmes, initiatives and services that we understanding and stimulate the exchange The Council continues to put great emphasis provide to all our residents and businesses. of knowledge and experiences in economic on encouraging all residents to improve development, tourism, education, culture, their health and wellbeing by becoming If this opportunity excites you, we look sustainable environmental initiatives and more active. We have recently completed a forward to receiving your application. youth exchange. programme worth approximately £40 million to replace the two existing leisure centres in Neighbouring with Louth County Council, Newry and Downpatrick. Councillor Mark Murnin Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman has also signed up to a Memorandum of Alongside this investment, we are promoting Understanding with this cross-border council our ‘Be Active’ campaign. This holistic to promote the economic development of initiative, which emanates from our Sports the joint regions. Facility and Play strategies, is instrumental in promoting a healthy lifestyle, combining physical and recreation activities. 4 Chief Executive Application Pack Our District at a Glance A vibrant, dynamic, connected region for economic growth and international investment. Newry, Mourne and Down district lies in the south east of Northern Ireland, covering parts of Counties Down and Armagh. Accessible to both Dublin and Belfast, it is bounded on the east by Strangford and Carlingford loughs, and on the west by Slieve Croob and Slieve Gullion. The famous Mourne Mountains which “sweep down to the sea” are in the heart of our district. With 11% of the total land area of Northern Ireland, more than 100 miles of coastline and approximately 177,000 residents, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area is the third largest in Northern Ireland. 177,000 residents 100 miles of coastline www.newrymournedown.org 5 41 In addition to Newry City, our Newry, Mourne and Down is a Forty-one Councillors serve the principal towns are Ballynahinch, place with strong, safe and vibrant seven District Electoral Areas (DEAs) Crossmaglen, Downpatrick, communities where everyone has of Crotlieve, Downpatrick, Newry, Newcastle and the harbour towns a good quality of life, access to Rowallane, Slieve Croob, Slieve of Kilkeel and Warrenpoint. opportunities and quality services Gullion and The Mournes. which are sustainable, accessible and meet people’s needs. We are also fortunate to be We have established strong We are privileged to be the home home to two hospitals, Daisy collaborative networks with our of St Patrick and boast a rich Hill in Newry and the Downe education providers - our two heritage and folklore including Hospital in Downpatrick. regional colleges, Southern Regional unrivalled links to Tí Chulainn and College and South Eastern Regional Game of Thrones. College; Queen’s University Belfast and the Ulster University. £50m We have three Areas of Outstanding Newry, Mourne and Down As a Council, we are ambitious, and Natural Beauty - Strangford & District Council has a combined will set a vision and priorities in our Lecale, Slieve Gullion, and the revenue and capital budget of new Corporate Plan (2019-2023) Mournes - as well as a number of over £50 million and over 1,000 that will steer the district along Blue Flag beaches and the amazing Council employees. an exciting journey of investment, Royal County Down golf course, regeneration, health and wellbeing located in one of the world’s most and modernisation. naturally beautiful link settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. 6 Chief Executive Application Pack Location and Connectivity Newry,Mourne and Down District Council Area Airport City Port Town University Location and Connectivity • An attractive location for all forms of investment due to our strategic cross- border location on the Belfast-Dublin eastern economic corridor • World-class road transportation and communication linkages Crossmaglen • Access to a catchment of over one million Border people within one hour’s drive • Access to two hospitals within the district • Warrenpoint Port, the second largest