Welcome to East Devon

Dear Applicant,  

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Director – Legal & Governance (Deputy Monitoring Officer) at East Devon District Council. 

Just over a year ago, we welcomed our new Chief Executive and began a fresh chapter for East Devon. Our focus has been on ensuring residents can access high-quality services delivered in a way that is open, transparent, and accountable. 

Since joining the Council, I have seen first-hand the progress we’ve made despite the many challenges facing the sector. I am especially proud of how the relationship between our officers and Elected Members is constructive, collaborative, and above all, centred on the needs of our residents. We are fostering a culture where issues are addressed early, positively, and effectively—something I am keen to further embed within our legal services team. Our Executive Leadership Team also works hand-in-hand with Cabinet, ensuring that our Council Plan is delivered in a purposeful and ambitious way. 

The teams you will oversee are made up of highly capable and committed officers. Like many local authorities, however, we face pressures around resources. For instance, our Procurement function is currently being rebuilt, offering you a unique opportunity to shape the service from the ground up—establishing not only its processes but also its culture. Across the Council, we are deeply committed to staff development, investing significantly in training and providing colleagues with the tools and confidence to thrive. Likewise, I am committed to supporting you on your own career journey. In this role, you will be at the forefront of our Constitutional review and work closely with me on Code of Conduct matters, ensuring strong governance is at the heart of everything we do. 

Thank you again for considering joining us at East Devon. I look forward to learning more about you through the recruitment process, and wish you the very best of luck with your application. 

Kind regards,  

Melanie Wellman  

Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer