Purpose of Post
• Provide support services to members of the political group (Plaid Cymru group)

 
Responsibility for Resources.
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Main Duties
Political Assistant Posts are subject to political restrictions – further information with regards to the political restrictions can be seen below.
1. Arrange and attend political group meetings as required and prepare agendas, reports and minutes and arrange technical matters as required.
2. Undertake any research work on behalf of the members/Group.
3. Assist the Leader and members of the political group with administrative and clerical work as required.
4. Assist the Leader and officers from the group with the democratic arrangements in Cyngor Gwynedd.
5. Assist specific members with arrangements relating to ward work.
6. Assist with writing and producing press releases, material for social media, as well as managing the group's website and social media accounts.
7. Assist members of the group by signposting to relevant and correct information and documents.
8. Promote links between members of the political group and Council departments by advising members on the relevant officer to contact.
9. Assist members in relation to the use of the Council’s information technology systems.
10. Act in strict confidentiality and respect confidentiality on all occasions, including group meetings.
11. Assist the treasure of the group with financial matters and day to day administration.
12. Assist the Chair of the group tby ensuring that the standing orders are adhered to in all meetings and in all actions by the group.
13. Responsibility for self-development in continuous discussion with line manager.
14. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
15. Operate within the Council’s policies and procedures in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
Undertake any other reasonable and proportionate duty determined by the Head of Corporate Support, which corresponds with the salary and responsibility levels of the post. 

Special Circumstances.
• There may be an occasional requirement to work unsociable hours, such as attending evening meetings, or on Saturdays and in locations outside the normal workplace.
 
The above is only an outline of the duties of the post to provide an idea of the responsibility levels associated with the post. This job description is not comprehensively detailed and the duties of the post could change from time to time without changing its basic nature and level of responsibility.
 
Please see the following page for further information with regards to the political restrictions.

Summary of Political Restrictions under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (“the Act”) and the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990
Restrictions that apply to all politically restricted posts:
Politically restricted employees are prohibited from:
1. Announcing (or causing, authorising or permitting anyone else to announce) that they are, or intend to be, a candidate for election as a member of 
• The House of Commons;
• The Scottish Parliament;
• The Senedd; or
• A Local Authority (within the meaning of section 21(1) or (2) of Act);
2. Acting as an election agent or sub-agent for a candidate for election as a member of a body named in paragraph 1 above;
3. Being an officer of a political party or any branch of such a party or a member of any committee or sub-committee of such a party or branch, if his/her duties as such an officer or member is likely to require him/her -
(a) to participate in the general management of the party or branch; or
(b) to act on behalf of the party or branch when dealing with persons other than members of the party or members of another political party associated with the party.
4. Canvassing on behalf of a political party, or on behalf of someone who is a candidate or intends to be a candidate for election to any of the bodies specified in paragraph 1 above.
All those holding restricted positions, apart from political assistants, are also barred from:
5. Speaking to the public at large or a section of the public with the apparent intention of affecting public support for a political party
6. Publishing (or causing, authorising or permitting to be published) any written or artistic work of which he/she is the author (or one of the authors) or in respect of which he/she has acted in an editorial capacity, with the apparent intention of affecting support public to a political party
Restrictions relevant to Political Assistants (appointed under section 9 of the Act) only - such officers are prevented from:
7. Speaking to the public at large, or to a section of the public, in circumstances or terms likely to give the impression that he/she is speaking as an authorised representative of a political party.
8. Publish (or cause, authorise or permit to be published) any written or artistic work, of which he/she is the author (or one of the authors) or in respect of which he/she has acted in an editorial capacity, which are likely to give the impression that it has been authorised by a political party
(Full details are to be found in the relevant legislation)