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Role: Principal Planning Officer
Location: Slough
Salary: Up to £44,588

Role purpose

To provide management of staff and workload of a Development Management planning team, to handle major through to minor planning proposals within this area and to play a significant role in bringing about service improvements though the implementation of the Development Management Service Plan and associated service development projects.

Accountabilities

1.To assist the Development Management Lead Officer with ensuring the effective operation of the section, including providing a deputising function where necessary, and to assist with the implementation of projects and actions identified within the Development Management Service Plan and associated service development projects.

2.To lead and manage the work of team, and to assist other team leaders when appropriate, in dealing with the processing of planning applications and enquiries, including giving professional advice and technical guidance on planning matters of all complexities.

3. Directly responsible for negotiating and processing complex planning applications, writing committee reports and negotiating S106 legal agreements to secure financial and other community benefits.

4.Taking the lead in specialist development management policy and procedural issues and projects.

5.Making recommendations on planning applications, in agreement with the Development Management Lead Officer, handling subsequent appeals, and attending committee and other meetings where appropriate.

6.Liaison with the enforcement team, advising and guiding on planning issues.

Skills, knowledge and experience

§ Significant experience within a Development Management Service with some experience of staff management

§ Managing and supervising other junior members of planning staff in their day to day work and the provision of professional support to other staff within the Council.

§ Working within a team structure in a performance orientated environment to meet relevant performance indicators and to seek improvements in performance.

§ Self management of workload to meet agreed timescales and deadlines and to show flexibility and to adopt new ways of working when necessary.

§ Negotiating improvements to complex schemes and securing S106 contributions.

§ Excellent verbal and written communication and customer care skills to provide a prompt helpful and friendly service that will promote customer satisfaction, and needs to be able to act with tact and diplomacy in dealing with customers who may be upset, annoyed and angry.

§ Experience of working with Councillors within the planning process and an understanding of key corporate issues involved.

§ Experience of presenting reports to Planning Committee, and preparing and giving evidence at planning Hearings and Inquiries.

Knowledge

§ In depth understanding of UK Policy and Development Management systems and the statutory framework for the determination of planning applications and provision of planning advice.

§ Knowledge of the current policy trends and pressures influencing the planning sector proposed changes to the planning system.

§ Knowledge and understanding of the Council’s Key Policy Priorities, as applied to the job and the role of development management and planning, in relation to corporate and community planning.

Skills/Abilities

§ Ability to use ICT systems in daily work to assist in the processing of planning applications and enquiries including word, excel and outlook.

§ Ability to contribute to the development of the team and understands the way in which this contribution is important to the success of the Development

Management Service, the Department and the Council as a whole, in terms of overall service delivery.

§ Ability to plan work organise and the work of a team, ensuring effective delegation and motivation, active handling of staff issues and conflict and the effective use of resources.

§ Has the ability to understand the principle of equal opportunities, apply it to providing and developing an excellent planning service to a diverse range of customers.

Qualifications

§ Degree level qualification

§ Corporate Membership of Royal Town Planning Institute

§ Evidence of a commitment to continuous professional development

§ Full driving licence and use of a car