Area Planning Manager
On-going contract Inside IR 35
Somerset
About the role
Act as the lead officer and manager for two of the four Area Planning Committees leading the two teams of officers focused on delivering high quality development in Somerset. The postholder will report to the Head of Service, will deputise for the Service Manager Development Management and will be required to ensure that the service performs to an excellent level that meets national/legal requirements and responds positively to transformational change and the expectations of a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Act as the lead officer for two development management area teams (consisting of professional planners at principal, senior, planning officer, graduate and apprenticeship grades) providing a high quality, customer focused, development management function, responsible for determining planning and relevant applications.
- Assist the Service Manager Development Management in the management of the Development Management Service and lead two of the area teams in determining planning applications including liaison within the planning service and other internal and external consultees.
- Ensure applications are professionally managed to determination from pre-application stage through to implementation and compliance in accordance with the Council's constitution and agreed scheme of delegation.
- Lead and manage the teams to ensure the Council exceeds Government and local performance targets; maximise income to Development Management specifically through application fees and charges to cover the costs of the Development Management Service; deliver organisational, policy and legislative changes to the service.
- Act as the lead professional officer at the relevant Area Planning Committees to ensure that they are managed effectively and support Members to make sound planning decisions which achieve delivery of the adopted Development Plans, supplementary planning documents and other guidance and to meet corporate objectives around climate change, ecological emergency, delivery of affordable housing and quality placemaking
- Deputise for the Service Manager Development Management and Head of Planning providing them with necessary support and advice across cases 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.
Experience
- Knowledge of statutory regulations relating to planning and related functions (including environmental legislation and regulations
- Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools
- Educated to degree level, ideally in planning, geography or a related subject
- Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or eligible to be a member
- Management qualification ILM 5 or higher
- Evidence of continual professional development in accordance with the requirements of the professional institute
If interested in the role, please contact me at moeez.muhammed@servicecare.org.uk or give me a call on 01772208967 for further information regarding the role.
