Article: Borough Secretary Article Body The Borough Secretary's Department - the directorate for law and governance The Borough Secretary's Department is a small part of the Council, but it plays a big part in the life of Authority as a whole. The Borough Secretary has a key role to play in making sure that our organisation works within the law, and in line with the highest standards of corporate conduct. The Borough Secretary's Department is responsible for the whole range of legal advice and support to the Council. It organises elections and collates the electoral register. The department is responsible for the provision of land and property information required for the housing market. It has a vital role to play in registering life events, such as births deaths and marriages. The department is also responsible for helping elected members to carry out their different roles as councillors and supporting key parts of the Council's constitutional arrangements, such as the scrutiny commissions. The Borough Secretary has a wide range of personal responsibilities. He is the Council's principal legal officer and secretary to the council. He is supported in this role by the the Council's Governance Unit. The Borough Secretary is the the Monitoring Officer, which requires him to formally report to the Council if any action has been taken contrary to the law and also to investigate any complaints about councillors,the electoral registration officer and at time of elections, the 'returning officer'. He is also the 'proper officer' for the local registration service, ensuring that it is operating to the standards required by the law. The department is divided into three main business groups. These are: Elections & Land Registers, which is responsible for local land charges and mounting electoral processes. Administration and Democratic Services, which covers support to the scrutiny process, member development, democratic engagement and the provision of the registration service. Legal Services, which covers provides legal support and advice to service directorates in relation to their day to day activities for litigation or legal cases which the Authority is involved in and support and advice on the sale and purchase of property and any contracts or commercial transactions which the Council enters into. Services The following list shows the services that provided by the division "Borough Secretary". Following the links to the services below will take you to the services section of our website: Admin and Democratic Support Administration and Democratic Services are responsible for supporting elected members and the councils non-executive political management arrangements (in co-operation with the Council Governance Unit). They also deal with the registration of life events, such as births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships. Litigation Stephen Parker: Assistant Borough Secretary Litigation We provide advice and expertise to the council as a whole, as well as to its individual services and directorates. Our main role is to keep the council’s financial and operational management arrangements within the law and fit for purpose. Property and Contracts