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- Tasks: Lead planning projects and support a motivated team in shaping local policies.
- Company: Join Halton Borough Council, a vibrant authority with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community planning while growing your career.
- Qualifications: RTPI recognised qualification or relevant experience in town planning required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and supportive colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports. Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services.
We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’. Our Team Halton’s Planning and Transport Policy team is looking for a Lead Planning Policy Officer. Halton’s Planning and Transport Policy team has a successful record of plan-making and driving high-quality place-making, which is supported by its elected members. Our team is enthusiastic and motivated with the primary role of taking forward the day-to-day work of maintaining and monitoring the current Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) and taking forward the review of Halton’s Delivery and Allocations Local Plan under the new planning regulations.
Your Contributions
If you are a Principal planner who is confident in successfully leading projects through to delivery with good communication skills, the enthusiasm to support and guide junior members of the team and you are seeking a role that presents an opportunity to take the next step in your career to Lead Officer, this could be the perfect move for you. We are looking for a motivated team player with extensive senior/principal planning policy experience who wants to and is ready to take the next step to become a Lead Officer of a small team of policy planners.
We require a RTPI recognised planning qualification or demonstrable experience in town planning and a working knowledge of planning legislation. The team covers a range of planning policy projects, which will include the review of the current DALP under the new planning regulations. You will need to be confident in effectively managing your workload, and will have experience in preparing planning policy documents, plan-making practice and a good understanding of monitoring and reporting procedures. You must have practical experience of Local Plan making, excellent report writing, research and analysis skills. You will also have experience of speaking at examination or appeal hearings and advising on planning policy matters through the application process. Good IT skills and experience with Microsoft office products is expected. The ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively will be really important – you will be regularly working with a variety of internal and external customers and elected councillors.
Our Offer
Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:
- A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service with the option to purchase an additional four days of unpaid leave for our Annual Christmas Closedown
- Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
- 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
- Investment in your personal development
- Free Car Parking at HBC sites
- Flexible working arrangements
- Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme.
Next Steps
At Halton Borough Council, we want all of our candidates to feel well-informed so if you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Andrew Plant head of planning, andrew.plant@halton.gov.uk, 0151 5117606. To apply please click the Apply Now link below.
Lead Officer Planning and Transport Strategy in Runcorn employer: Halton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Halton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Officer Planning and Transport Strategy in Runcorn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Halton through LinkedIn or local meetups. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Halton’s recent projects and policies. Show us you’re genuinely interested in our community strategy and how you can contribute to it.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Lead Officer, you’ll need to convey complex planning policies clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Team Halton.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Officer Planning and Transport Strategy in Runcorn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Planning: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for planning and transport strategy shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our goals at Halton, so don’t hold back on sharing your passion for making a difference in the community!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for in a Lead Officer.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Halton Borough Council
✨Know Your Planning Policies
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning policies and regulations relevant to Halton. Familiarise yourself with the Delivery and Allocations Local Plan (DALP) and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the current and upcoming projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided junior planners in the past and how you plan to foster a collaborative environment within the team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about scenarios where you've had to manage competing priorities or resolve conflicts, especially in relation to planning policy matters.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since building positive relationships is key in this role, practice engaging with your interviewers. Be personable, ask insightful questions about their experiences at Halton, and express genuine interest in the team culture and collaborative efforts.