Area Planning Deputy Team Leader

Job Description

Manage own case load of the most complex planning applications and pre-application submissions (Major & Complex Minor Applications) from validation stage through to making recommendations to approve or refuse submissions. Undertaking site inspections and consultations as necessary, in accordance with agreed targets, timescales and priorities.

To take a leading role in providing a high quality, customer focused Planning Service by dealing efficiently and effectively with all aspects of the full range of planning applications and planning enquiries

1. Resident & Community Contribution

⦁ Ensuring a business-friendly planning service is provided to planning agents during the processing of planning submissions.

⦁ Ensuring that a high standard of customer service is provided so that resident and agents feedback of Planning Services is positive.

⦁ To promote responsive relations between case officers and applicants to improve developer confidence in the Planning Service.

⦁ To demonstrate understanding of the Council’s Customer Care Standards and ensure that these standards are met in order to deliver the Council vision of ‘putting our residents first.’

2. People Management

⦁ Supervisory responsibility for colleagues in the Area Planning Team.

⦁ Actively mentor and supervise staff within the team providing guidance, mentoring junior members of the Development Management Team.

⦁ Actively support transformational activities and a cultural shift to working practices to ensure the right team for the right project. Working with the Senior Leadership Team encourage a flexible approach to project delivery within the wider team to flex resources to match demand and provide opportunities for career development.

3. Operational Service Delivery

⦁ Manage own case load of the most complex planning submissions from validation stage through to making recommendations to approve or refuse submissions. Undertaking site inspections and consultations as necessary, in accordance with agreed targets, timescales and priorities.

⦁ Process and case manage a caseload of more complex pre-application planning submissions including facilitating meetings and discussions with applicants/agents through to preparing professional reports and making recommendations.

⦁ Prepare professional reports and make recommendations on planning applications for consideration by Team Leaders/Service Managers or the relevant Planning Committee.

⦁ Lead on ensuring quality input into reports, to provide accurate, concise information to decision makers and Planning Committee.

⦁ Attend and present at the relevant Planning Committee where required/agreed with Team Managers.

⦁ Prepare professional appeal statements and act as the Council’s lead witness in Hearing and Public Inquiry proceedings where required.

⦁ Deal with complex post-decision planning matters such as discharge of conditions, advising on re-submissions and engagement in the Council’s complaint process.

⦁ Deputise for Team Leaders when requested and to undertake management tasks including but not limited to the allocation of planning submissions and signing off cases.

⦁ Provide support and guidance for more junior members of staff within the Area Planning Teams on a day-to-day basis.

⦁ Undertake consultations and liaise with other Services, statutory consultees, community groups, private groups, and members of the public.

⦁ Support managers with responses to complaints and Member Enquiries.

⦁ Remain up to date with and knowledgeable of relevant legislation and case law, using that knowledge in dealing with planning work.

⦁ Use a document management system to manage caseloads across the Area Planning Team and assist in the operation and maintenance of the Service’s computer-based and associated data-based planning information systems.

4. Service Planning & Development

⦁ Actively contribute to the on-going review and improvement of services within the Planning Service and to keep abreast of changes to planning legislation and lead in the introduction of new or amended processes and procedures.

⦁ Provide regular reporting and analysis for the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), both statutory and non-statutory, identifying mitigation and actions as needed.