Principal Planning Officer

Principal DM Officer

£47,420 – £50,512

• Complex and Major planning applications
• Manager the enforcement and planning control team
• Deputy to the manager
• Negotiating complex s106

Duties and responsibilities must be undertaken to comply with Council policies/procedures.

1. To lead on projects and work as deemed appropriate by the Manager.

2. To plan, programme and prioritise work / projects and actively contribute to the day-to- day management of the team, including providing advice, guidance training and supervision to team members and developing and co-ordinating specific programmes and activities within the team, as agreed.

3. Providing relevant advice to the Council, public, applicants and their agents on planning matters, in writing and verbally. To support other staff in the section in responding to enquiries.

4. Preparing reports to, and attending, Council meetings and committees on relevant planning matters.

5. To assist in the training and development of staff as required.

6. To procure external professional advice and manage the work of contractors as necessary.

7. To monitor and manage project budgets, including Issuing orders and certifying payment of accounts in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

8. To ensure robust and inclusive community engagement, give advice and assistance to the public and other customers as and when necessary, and represent the Planning Service at public meetings and site visits to discuss development proposals.

9. To represent the Council by preparing and presenting expert and professional evidence at public inquiries, informal hearings and in court for the full range of applications.

10. To maintain a thorough up-to-date knowledge of relevant law, policies, working practices and procedures.

11. To scope, commission and project manage consultants to deliver projects / work programmes, including the management of allocated budgets.

12. To deputise for the Manager and AD Economic Growth, providing them with necessary support and advice across cases / projects, and deal with chief officers, senior members and external contacts on the full range of matters relating to management issues and all types of major and complex applications.

13. To plan, programme and prioritise work / projects and actively contribute to the day-to- day management of the team, including providing advice, guidance training and supervision to team members and developing and co-ordinating specific programmes and activities within the team, as agreed.

14. To ensure direct reports are managed effectively including appraisals, identifying training needs, and that all issues affecting team performance and individual welfare are identified and acted on.

15. To work flexibly in undertaking the duties and responsibilities.

16. To work independently of the Development Management and Conservation Manager dealing with and leading on major and complex planning applications, planning performance agreements, developments proposals or projects, including undertaking negotiations (with applicants/prospective developers and representatives of other parts of the Council),carrying out research and preparing and presenting all types of reports to senior stakeholders (including councillors and council meetings) and site inspections.

17. To be responsible for negotiating complex S106 legal agreements and other funding agreements contributing to the multi-million pound income for the authority.

18. To produce professional advice, briefing information, advice and reports on very complex and/or contentious planning applications, development proposals and policy issues to appropriate individuals and bodies at all levels of the council\’s governance arrangements (including Cabinet, Councillors, Planning Applications Committee) and to external stakeholders.

19. Processing of other statutory submissions, including applications for listed building and conservation area consent, prior notifications, advertisement consent and environmental impact assessment procedures.

20. Determining all planning and related applications under the scheme of delegation, in the absence of the Development Management and Conservation Manager.

21. Presenting reports to Planning Committee and other committees and meetings of the Council, as required, including cases dealt with by other staff in the section.

22. Responsibility for the supervision of the planning officers and technical officers as appropriate.

23. In consultation with the Strategic Planning and Key Sites section to contribute to the formulation/review of the Local Plan and Local Development Framework, planning and development briefs and other supplementary planning documents.

24. To participate as required in the Council’s Emergency Planning Operations which may involve duties outside the post holder’s normal job description and contracted hours. In the event that an incident has occurred which disrupts the council’s ability to deliver its critical functions, the post holder will be expected to participate in the recovery stage which may include undertaking duties within the post holder’s competencies in other departments and/or at other locations.

25. To carry out such other duties as may be required of you, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility, as directed by management.

26. A commitment to excellent customer service and the values of the Council