Senior Planning Officer Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Planning Policy

our ref your ref please ask for direct dial 01473 433402 Grafton House email [email protected] 15-17 Russell Road Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2DE

www.ipswich.gov.uk

Dear Applicant

RE: Senior Planning Officer Post Ref: 1817

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

 Job Description  Person Specification  Structure Chart  Service Overview

Application Form: The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

For your information, the salary for this post is: £32,422 to £34,467 per annum.

The closing date is 5pm on the 12th October 2016.

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 433402. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back. Yours faithfully

Recruitment Team Human Resource Ipswich Borough Council Job Description: K58a

Senior Planning Officer – Planning Policy

Main Purpose of Job

In collaboration with the Planning Policy Team Leader, to prepare the statutory Local Plan and supporting planning documents, and to deal with any associated enquiries.

Main Duties

1. To contribute to the preparation and implementation of the Council’s Local Plan policies and supporting planning documents, and assist with the functions and duties of the Planning Policy Team Leader where necessary.

2. Responsible for the supervision of staff and consultants, including recruitment, performance management and project management in accordance with Council policies and procedures.

Operational Duties

1. To prepare draft policies proposals and reasoned justifications on a wide range of subjects for consultation; co-ordinate input into the Local Plan process from internal and external sources; consult with Officers, Portfolio Holder and Councillors prior to inclusion in the Local Plan.

2. To liaise with the Planning Policy Team Leader in the production of the Council’s strategies on subjects such as housing, economic development, integrated transport and regeneration and assist them to achieve their diverse objectives through the Local Plan process.

3. To participate in the public consultation processes that will accompany publication of the draft local planning documents and to analyse representations received and prepare responses.

4. To prepare responses to objections relating to local development documents and prepare, present and debate the Council’s statement of case at local public inquiries and public examinations.

5. Prepare supplementary planning documents and concept statements where appropriate to guide the development of sites. 6. Deal with any enquiries on planning matters responding to requests for advice, from Developers, Government departments, Managers, Head of Service, Councillors, Portfolio Holder and the general public. Provide technical input to and give specialist advice to internal and external meetings. Represent the Council and Operational Area at Steering Groups, Advisory Panels and other internal and external meetings as required, particularly in respect of cross-boundary working.

7. Manage evidence-gathering projects in support of the Local Plan and supporting documents.

8. Supervise staff to ensure that objectives are understood and achieved within appropriate timescales.

9. Maintain knowledge on planning statutes, legislation, regulations and policy through continuing professional development. To deputise for the Planning Policy Team Leader as may be necessary on matters relating to the service.

10. Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed. Person Specification

Senior Planning Officer – Planning Policy

METHOD OF ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE ASSESSMEN T Degree / Diploma standard of Willingness to participate in Application/ education in Planning or training and sharing skills with Certificates relevant field. others.

Corporate Member or eligibility for membership of RTPI or other Qualifications relevant Professional body or institute.

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Relevant Experience of planning policy Knowledge of Development Application/Interview experience development and review, dealing Management processes. /Test/Presentation with development plan issues. Understanding of wider Council Proven experience of analysing, aims and objectives. interpreting, and making recommendations on complex Supervisory experience and information and preparing and ability to contribute relevant presenting reports. leadership skills to the team.

Experience of working in Experience of preparing partnership with a variety of infrastructure and viability stakeholders including local evidence. communities. Experience of implementing Experience of dealing with public regeneration initiatives and enquiries, hearings and bidding for Government examination in public. funding.

Effective project management skills.

Experience in consultation processes, participating and organising public consultations and dealing with councillors, stakeholders and members of the public.

Demonstrable experience of using Microsoft applications (Word/Excel/Powerpoint/ Outlook) and the Internet. Extensive knowledge of national Understanding of wider Application/Interview planning policy and guidance. Organisational objectives. Test/Presentation

Proven knowledge of the Knowledge of Localism Agenda application of planning and effects on local government legislation and regulations. planning services. Specialist Demonstrate knowledge of Ability to interpret technical data knowledge project management techniques. to inform both evidence base and planning documents. Knowledge of sustainability appraisal of development plans, and supplementary planning documents.

Ability to work on own initiative Knowledge of equality and Application/Interview and as part of a team towards diversity and how this can apply Test/Presentation agreed objectives. to delivering an effective and quality service. Proven experience of analysing and interpreting complex Ability to identify and manage information. risk.

Ability to provide creative Willingness to take solutions to complex problems. responsibility for self development, for keeping up to Ability to supervise and provide date on information relevant to direction to staff in a the post and changes in performance focused culture. legislation.

Personal skills Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation.

Ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external groups and interests.

Ability to manage continually conflicting priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure.

Flexibility over hours of work, Application/Interview Special working and ability to attend out of hours conditions meetings. Ipswich Borough Council

Planning and Development

The Planning and Development team deals with the council's regulatory and non-statutory functions as Local Planning Authority. It includes the combined services stated below:

Development Management

Development Management provides key services to the development sector. In overall terms it is a front-line service, playing a key role in shaping the future of Ipswich as a place to live and work in, and also in contributing to the Council’s public image.

The service aims to secure the best quality development possible for the people of Ipswich; to operate an efficient, thorough, responsive and open Development Management and enforcement system focused on the needs of all of our customers. The team plays a part in promoting a wider understanding among the public and other bodies of the work and commitment of the Operational Area and the Council as a whole, within the constraints which exist.

Building Control

Building control is concerned with the health and safety of people in and around buildings. Our team makes sure buildings are constructed in a safe and stable manner, comply with energy conservation requirements and have suitable access and facilities for building users. Building Regulations are made by the Government with the aim of securing reasonable standards of health and safety for people in and about buildings. In addition they cover other issues affecting buildings such as access, thermal performance and appropriate sound insulation between buildings. Ipswich Borough Council Building Control is dedicated to providing an impartial and local service to the people of Ipswich to help them to comply with the Building Regulations. We aim to assist with the production of high quality buildings within a timescale, whilst keeping your costs to a minimum by providing a fast, efficient and cost- effective Building Control Service. Our surveyors have wide technical expertise, extensive knowledge of materials and construction methods as well as access to valuable local records. We have a reputation for fairness, a positive, practical approach and good working relations with local architects, surveyors, builders, developers and the fire service.

Conservation and Urban Design

The Conservation & Urban Design Service is the central focal point within the Borough Council for specialist technical and professional advice on historic buildings and areas and for urban design. The service operates to advise the Council, owners, occupiers and the general public about protection of the historic environment and about shaping places to maintain and reinforce the unique urban character of Ipswich. The team works with national bodies such as English Heritage but also with local groups such as Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, Ipswich Building Preservation Trust and the Ipswich Design & Conservation Advisory Panel. Planning Policy

The Core Strategy and Policies development plan document was adopted in December 2011 and work is currently being undertaken on the emerging Core Strategy with a view to an Examination in Public in early 2016.

The primary responsibility of the Planning Policy team is the preparation, monitoring and review of land use planning documents forming the Ipswich Local Plan. It fulfils statutory responsibilities in relation to land use planning.

Planning Policy’s other responsibilities include:

• Producing an infrastructure delivery plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL); • Advising on planning policy issues and implementation; and • Representing the Council on a range of partnerships.

Business Support Team

The Planning and Development Business Support Team provides administrative and technical support for the service covering Building Control, Development Management, Conservation & Urban Design and Planning Policy. The Team Leader provides administrative and HR support and advice across Planning and Development.