People, Policy and Law incorporates a range of functions that supports both the internal working of the County Council and the way the authority works in collaboration with other bodies across Cambridgeshire.
HR and Organisational Development
The 'people' aspects of the directorate are focussed upon ensuring the Council's workforce is well led, managed and developed to ensure the delivery of the best possible public services to Cambridgeshire.
Pensions
In addition to these functions, the directorate is also responsible for hosting the Pensions Service, which is responsible for the administration of the Local Government, Police and Fire Fighter Pension Schemes for a range of employing organisations across Cambridgeshire, not just the County Council.
Corporate Development
Working closely with and supporting County Councillors, the directorate also leads upon the development of the 'policy' aspects of the Council's Integrated Plan and the articulation of the Council's overall vision, objectives and values. The directorate is actively involved in supporting Councillors and senior officers by co-ordinating and enabling countywide partnership working, particularly that of the Cambridgeshire Together Board.
To ensure that policy is equally provided with the necessary checks and balances, the Scrutiny team supports Councillors with delivering their role in relation to political oversight and challenge in respect of the actions and decisions of the authority.
Legal Services
Finally, the 'law' elements of the directorate ensure that Councillors and the Council as a whole are given access to expert legal advice and opinion, via the Council's in-house team of lawyers and solicitors who specialise in public sector legal work. This team is led by the Council's Head of Legal Services, who is the designated Monitoring Officer for issues relating to the Standards and Conduct of County Councillors and who also acts as the Solicitor to the Council.
Democratic and Members' Services
Additionally, Democratic and Members' Services ensures that Council business and individual County Councillors are supported with the discharge of their responsibilities and the management of official Council meetings.