27th October 2025

Bryn Graham Higgott was indeed involved in the SHAPE Legal Partnership, particularly during its later stages.

Role in SHAPE Legal Partnership

Bryn Higgott served as a locum solicitor within the partnership, contributing to the legal services provided to the participating councils. His involvement was especially notable in the context of Somerset West and Taunton Council, which succeeded Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset District Council following local government restructuring in April 2019.

Current Position

As of October 2023, Bryn Higgott was listed as a locum solicitor at Somerset County Council, indicating his continued engagement in legal services within the Somerset region. Law Society Solicitors Directory

The SHAPE Legal Service – Contract Update report, presented to the Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) Scrutiny Committee on 24 July 2018, provides a detailed review of the partnership’s performance and financial arrangements up to that point.

Overview of the SHAPE Legal Partnership

  • Formation and Structure: Established in 2015, the SHAPE Legal Partnership involved TDBC, West Somerset District Council (WSDC), and Mendip District Council (MDC), with MDC acting as the host authority. Legal services staff from TDBC were transferred to MDC under TUPE regulations.
  • Service Areas: The partnership provided legal advice across various domains, including corporate/governance, planning, commercial, highways, health, property, enforcement/prosecutions, electoral law, employment, housing, litigation, and licensing.
  • Exclusions: Certain areas were excluded from the SHAPE contract, such as monitoring officer functions, complex commercial cases, matters involving conflicts of interest, and legal work on outsourced matters.

Financial Arrangements and Caseload

  • Initial Contributions: At the inception of the partnership, TDBC’s contribution was estimated at approximately 36% of the total caseload, equating to £201,000 per annum. However, this was an approximation due to limited management information.
  • Revised Contributions: By 2018/19, TDBC’s actual usage of SHAPE services had increased to approximately 54% of the total caseload, leading to a revised annual contribution of around £303,000. This adjustment was due to increased legal support requirements in areas such as contracts, monitoring officer guidance, and property-related matters.
  • Cost Reductions: The partnership initially negotiated a 15% cost reduction compared to the cost of TDBC’s existing in-house legal team.
  • Inflationary Adjustments: While the contract allowed for inflationary increases, SHAPE did not charge these increases until the 2017/18 financial year.
  • Additional Legal Services: For complex commercial cases beyond the base contract, TDBC engaged a locum solicitor employed by SHAPE, with costs incurred separately from the standard contribution.

Operational Support and Governance

  • On-Site Presence: SHAPE ensured staff availability at TDBC’s Deane House throughout the week. The SHAPE Business Services Manager routinely worked at Deane House and attended Full Council meetings, facilitating direct communication and support.
  • Inter-Authority Agreement: An inter-authority agreement was established between TDBC, MDC, and WSDC for the provision of legal services from 2015/16 to 2019/20, outlining the terms and conditions of the partnership.

Conclusion

The report underscores the evolving nature of the SHAPE Legal Partnership, highlighting the increased reliance of TDBC on shared legal services and the associated financial implications. It reflects the partnership’s adaptability in meeting the growing legal needs of the council while maintaining a collaborative approach with partner authorities.

For a comprehensive understanding, you can access the full report here: SHAPE Legal Service – Contract Update.

The SHAPE Legal Year End Report – Year 4, dated April 2019, provides a comprehensive overview of the partnership’s activities and achievements up to that point. Authored by David Clark and Lesley Dolan, the report outlines the progress of the Law & Governance service, which was the first SHAPE Partnership service to be established.

Key Highlights from the Report

  • Transition to Somerset West and Taunton Council: The partnership successfully facilitated the transition of legal services from Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) and West Somerset Council (WSC) to the newly formed Somerset West and Taunton Council on 1 April 2019.
  • Support for Major Projects: The legal team provided ongoing support for significant initiatives, including the application of new tools under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to secure Closure Orders and Public Space Protection Orders.
  • Preparation for GDPR: Assistance was provided to all partners in preparation for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
  • Expansion of Client Base: The partnership successfully expanded its customer base and diversified the range of work commissioned, enhancing its service offerings.

Future Priorities

Looking ahead, the partnership identified several key priorities:

  • Support for the New Authority: Continued assistance for the newly established Somerset West and Taunton Council.
  • Client Satisfaction Survey: Commissioning a client satisfaction survey to gather feedback and improve services.
  • Streamlining Processes: Collaborating with the Assets Team to streamline the commissioning of work and associated processes.
  • Growth and Marketing Plan: Implementing a growth and marketing plan to promote services, identify new clients, and explore income generation opportunities.
  • Review of Partnership Structure: Reviewing and recasting the partnership to ensure it continues to support the strategic direction of the partner authorities.

The report concludes with recommendations to endorse the progress made to date and support the development of growth and marketing plans.

For a detailed breakdown of the report, including case work statistics and staff matters, you can refer to the full document here: SHAPE Legal Year End Report – Year 4.

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