Senior Planning Policy Officer - Castle Point Borough Council
Castle Point Borough Council
Permanent, Full Time
£46,731 - £50,788
Location: Castle Point
Closing Date: 2nd January 2024
Why Castle Point? Castle Point Borough Council is a statutory body responsible for employing nearly 350 staff, and delivering over 150 council services, both statutory and for the community's well-being and benefit. Castle Point Borough Council aims to provide high-quality and financially sustainable services while prioritising outstanding customer service, transparency in decision-making, and promoting local democracy. Additionally, the council seeks to transform, modernize, and improve its performance, as well as support and enable the communities within its jurisdiction to be strong, healthy, and thriving.
Our values: Trust, Respect, Improving and Learning, and Customer Focus
The Opportunity
This is a great opportunity to join a council that has gone through a period of change and transformation and to play a key role in supporting the Planning Policy and Climate Action Manager in delivering the Local Plan.
You will be responsible for preparing policy, developing and commissioning evidence base work and ensuring that the views of residents and stakeholders are addressed through the plan-making process. You will also play a key role in the examination of the plan.
Supported but a Service Support Officer this is an excellent opportunity to work with colleagues on Climate Action projects, developing skills and expertise in this critical area. Please note this role will require an office presence of at least 2 days per week.
Accountabilities
- To play a principal role in the preparation of the Development Plan and any associated strategies and guidance resulting from the Council’s plan-making obligations under the Town and Country Planning Act and related legislation, in accordance with the timescales set out in the Local Development Scheme.
- To undertake research and evidence development as required to inform the formulation of policy. This includes undertaking site visits and site assessments, the collation and analysis of secondary data, reviewing external reports and commissioning external consultants as necessary.
- To provide both written and oral advice on a full range of planning policy matters to the Council, including to elected Members. This includes providing advice to the Development Management Team, and to the Estates Team. It also includes, providing reports for Scrutiny and Cabinet and other meetings of Members as necessary.
- To provide written and oral evidence on a full range of planning policy matters at the examination of the Development Plan, and in relation to any relevant planning appeals.
- To play a principal role in resident and stakeholder engagement activities, providing advice to residents in person, over the phone and in writing as necessary, and attending and participating in meetings with stakeholders on planning policy matters.
- As required, actively engage in collaborative working at national, county, and sub-regional levels with other authorities, government agencies and partner organisations as appropriate, and in accordance with Duty to Cooperate best practice.
- As required, review and draft formal responses to strategic planning and infrastructure consultations.
- To support the work of the Senior Climate Action Officer in relation to the development and delivery of policies related to Green and Blue Infrastructure planning and planning for net zero.
- To play a principal role in developing the Council’s approach to the Biodiversity Duty and associated reporting.
- To deputise for the Planning Policy and Climate Action Manager as necessary.
- To provide coaching and mentoring to more junior members of the team.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
- Degree level relevant qualification
- Previous experience within a Policy Planning role
- Knowledge and understanding of planning legislation and regulations with reference to local government and district councils
- Ability to present information and write reports for a range of audiences
- Well-developed communication and influencing skills; able to build strong working relationships
- A good level of IT skills and the ability to use appropriate specialist in-house software packages
Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be a disability confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
Castle Point Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk