Planning Officer

Job Purpose Planning Officer

• To manage a wide ranging workload with a particular emphasis on enabling sustainable development which makes a positive contribution to Sefton.

• To contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the Planning Service, ensuring appropriate legislation and policy guidance is taken into account in any recommendations.

• To undertake responsibilities in a professional and flexible manner with a focus on customer care and value for money.

• Recommend planning applications, agree details and undertake any other necessary functions delegated to the Chief Planning Officer in the Councils scheme of delegation in a manner to ensure robust and timely decisions are made.

• Implement the statutory Development Management functions in terms of assessing planning and other applications, preparing reports and recommendations, preparing appeal statements and giving evidence to PLI/Hearings, giving pre-applications and general advice, responding to complaints, breaches of planning control and general enforcement/compliance matters.

• Assist with the preparation and implementation of policies and programmes to guide the development of key areas and sites as part of the Councils Regeneration Strategies, including supplementary planning guidance, development briefs and practice notes.

• When necessary provide guidance, direction and training to (junior and other) members of staff on all planning and enforcement matters.
• Review effects of existing policy and practice on development proposals and support preparation of Development Management policies.

• Represent the Service including at Committees, inter-departmental/working groups and externally with customers or stakeholders.

• To work flexibly as a resource for Planning Services responding to changing demands on the Service to ensure service delivery and timeliness and quality decision making.

Experience

1. Experience of providing excellent customer care within the

development management part of a Planning Service

2. Significant experience of managing a busydevelopment

3. Experience in workingeffectively, collaboratively and in partnership both within the Council, across agencies, with the

private sector and local communities.

Knowledge and Skills Planning Officer

1. Knowledge of national policy and statutory procedures relevant

to the development management process

2. Good written and verbal communication and presentation skills

3. Good analytical and numeracy skills