Planning and estate management

A2/001 - Issue date: Under review
  1. The consultant must undertake all planning and estate management work in accordance with:
    • the requirements of current legislation, government circulars and advice, and the RICS 'Red Book' and Code of Measuring Practice
    • the county council's planning policies
    • Oxfordshire County Council's procedures for the Acquisition and Disposal of Properties
    • the Constitution of the county council
    • the legal and financial requirements of the Chief Executive Office.
  2. In all advice and recommendations the consultant must have regard to relevant council policies. Where there may be potential conflicts of policy and/or differences in interpretation this must be clearly stated. The Oxfordshire County Council project leader will describe the work required, specify the time allowed for the work, the deadline for completion (where appropriate), identify a contact officer in the client directorate and provide such background information as is relevant to the commission.
  3. Normally the consultant should undertake new projects only when commissioned by the Oxfordshire County Council project leader. There may be occasions when a directorate will want work done urgently. The consultant should first check (by phone) with the Oxfordshire County Council project leader, but work need not wait for a written commission. The commissioning document agreeing the time charge and other details will follow within five working days.
  4. The consultant will check that sufficient information has been provided; appoint a project manager to take responsibility for the work and notify the Oxfordshire County Council project leader and the relevant contact officer in the client directorate; liaise without further instruction with other staff within the consultancy as required and provide periodic progress reports (as required by the Oxfordshire County Council project leader) with a copy to the contact officer in the client directorate. In cases where there is a specific deadline the consultant must advise the Oxfordshire County Council project leader if the work cannot be completed within the time specified.
  5. The Oxfordshire County Council project leader will notify the consultant if a councillor or the Chief Executive wishes to be informed directly in connection with any commission.
  6. The consultant will be expected to react quickly to urgent requests for information/ jobs, and meet tight deadlines.