Independent Person
| Posting date: | 10 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 05 April 2026 |
| Location: | Primarily via MS Teams, PO1 2BG |
| Company: | Portsmouth City Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | pcc/TP/660/1268 |
Summary
Your new role
This is a voluntary role, you would be required to volunteer weekdays only, primarily via MS Teams. You will work as and when required by invitation on each occasion.
The Independent Person supports Gosport Borough Council in maintaining high standards of conduct among elected and co‑opted members. This voluntary role provides impartial advice to the Monitoring Officer, Democratic Services, and the Audit and Standards Sub‑Board when allegations of misconduct arise, including before decisions are taken on whether to investigate complaints or how to resolve them. The Independent Person may also be consulted by councillors who are the subject of a complaint, ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to the Council’s Code of Conduct and the seven principles of public life.
Alongside case‑related duties, the role involves developing a strong understanding of the Council’s ethical framework, attending relevant meetings, and participating in training to strengthen knowledge and judgment. The Independent Person acts as an advocate for ethical behaviour across the Council, helping to promote public confidence in local democracy while offering objective, confidential and balanced perspectives on standards matters.
Please download the full job profile below.
Who is the person summary:
The Independent Person will have:
- a keen interest in standards in public life.
- a wish to serve the local community and uphold local democracy.
- the ability to be objective, independent and impartial.
- sound decision making skills
- leadership qualities, particularly in respect of exercising sound judgement. The Independent Person will:
- be a person in whose impartiality and integrity the public can have confidence.
- understand and comply with confidentiality requirements.
- have a demonstrable interest in local issues.
- have an awareness of the importance of ethical behaviours.
- be a good communicator. Desirable additional criteria are:
- working knowledge/experience of local government or other public service and/or of large complex organisations and awareness of and sensitivity to the political process.
- knowledge and understanding of judicial/quasi-judicial or complaints processes.
How to apply
Please download and complete the attached application form, details on where to return it are on the form.
Additional Information
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Peter Smyth-Parkin: email: Peter.Smith-Parkyn@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or telephone: 02392 688361
Please download the job profile below, for full details about the role, including details about the interview process.
This role is politically restricted.