EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION. JOB TITLE: Planning Policy Manager POST NO: NFP01. GRADE: 10 CAR ALLOWANCE: Casual

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1 EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Planning Policy Manager POST NO: NFP01 SERVICE: SECTION: Planning Policy and Economic Development Planning Policy GRADE: 10 CAR ALLOWANCE: Casual DBS CHECK: NO DBS LEVEL: N/A PURPOSE OF THE JOB: To be responsible to the Assistant Director of Planning Policy & Economic Development for the provision of the planning policy service and to ensure that Council Corporate Plan, Business/Service Plan objectives and performance targets are met in an efficient, customer focused manner. DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO: Assistant Director of Planning Policy and Economic Development DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR: Principle Planning Officer and additional posts (under review) MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: a) Directorate responsibilities 1. Subject to the direction of the Assistant Director, to manage the work of the Planning Policy team, including identifying, planning and project managing tasks, allocating and prioritising work within the team; compiling reports as required, having regard to Corporate Plan and Business/Service Plan objectives, and to provide information about performance and work programmes. 2. To act as the Council s lead professional officer in planning policy and sustainable development, the research and provision of information, to advise on appropriate workstreams and courses of action, and to brief elected members, attend Committees or Working Groups as required, and to present reports. 3. To undertake and co-ordinate the following functions: (a) (b) (c) (d) the preparation, monitoring and review of Local Plans and policies and other planning policy documents as appropriate, including Supplementary Planning Documents, Local Development Schemes, Monitoring Reports, and Community Infrastructure Levy the carrying out of the Duty to Co-operate in relation to planning policy the assessment of policies, plans and proposals of other Authorities or developers affecting the District, and making appropriate representations on them the support of Neighbourhood Plans in the district as appropriate

2 (e) (f) (g) the provision of planning policy advice to Development Management and to other Council services as appropriate the provision of policy support to planning inquiries and similar tribunals as appropriate to contribute to corporate issues such as the review of Council land holdings, the Economic Strategy, Housing Strategy (including the provision of affordable housing), Transport Strategy, Town Centre Partnerships, and the strategies of bodies such as the County Council or London or Regional bodies and partnerships 4. Subject to the direction of the Assistant Director, to appoint, appraise and monitor staff, and secure their personal development/training; ensure compliance with health and safety at work requirements and prevailing Council regulations and procedures. 5. Subject to the direction of the Assistant Director, to document and regularly review performance standards/targets and methods of working with staff, taking account of the views of service customers, in order to optimise service standards and secure continuous improvements. 6. To report to the Assistant Director as required about performance; to initiate operational changes, optimising use of IT and other support systems; to draw attention to other matters requiring resolution and to recommend changes. 7. To give direction and advice about corporate programmes/priorities and casework as required and to take a lead role in major or contentious cases, including representation of the Council at public inquiries and Examinations. 8. To secure the fair and consistent assessment of issues and presentation of related reports for decisions by the Council and its decision-making mechanisms, to attend meetings and member briefings as appropriate to present items, and help to develop positive relationships between Councillors and officers. 9. To communicate with the public and stakeholders on planning policy issues by appropriate methods including meetings and articles. 10. To secure efficient allocation and prioritisation of work, including procurement, appointment and guidance of consultants as required. 11. To secure compliance with approved budgets and service level agreements, and to delegate appropriate authority in the interests of efficient and effective decision making. 12. To undertake other duties as required within the responsibility levels and overall purpose of the post, including contribution to key tasks/decisions affecting Planning as a whole, corporate or inter-authority matters. 13. To deputise as required for the Assistant Director and to undertake other appropriate duties on a temporary basis, as directed by the Director of Neighbourhoods or Assistant Director in exceptional circumstances. b) Corporate responsibilities 14. The postholder will act as the Council s lead officer in planning policy matters. 15. To observe all of the requirements of Safeguarding and to report any potential concerns in accordance with the Council s Safeguarding Policy.

3 c) Management responsibilities 16. The postholder will attend appropriate management meetings within the Service and Directorate. 17. The postholder is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Planning Policy team, including carrying out staff development reviews, appointing, monitoring and communicating with staff. 18. The postholder will optimise the use of staff resources, together with the use of consultants, having regard to work priorities. 19. The postholder will delegate appropriate authority in the interests of efficiency/staff development. d) Responsibilities for Health and Safety 20. Epping Forest District Council is committed to the provision of high quality health and safety standards. In order to achieve this all staff employed by the Council have the following specific responsibilities, which are consistent with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by what you do or fail to do To co-operate with Epping Forest District Council in order to enable statutory requirements to be implemented Not to intentionally interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety 21. The postholder is required to carry out risk assessments on the team s working arrangements, specifically taking account of lone workers. e) Responsibilities for Finance: 22. The postholder is responsible for monitoring budgets within the Planning Policy team and is a Spending Control Officer. POLITICALLY RESTRICTED POST: Yes REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974: Not exempt Signed. (Director) Date.. Signed. (Post holder) Date..

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION POST TITLE: Planning Policy Manager POST NO: NFP01 Essential Desirable Assessment Method (AF/I/ST/P) 1. Education and Training Degree or equivalent professional qualification E AF by examination In depth knowledge of Town Planning legislation E AF, I, ST and current professional good practice in relation to plan making Able to exercise considerable direct responsibility E for the management direction, training and development of the Planning Policy team, and the allocation, prioritisation, delegation and checking of their work. Chartered Member of the Royal Town E AF Planning Institute or equivalent. Recognised management qualification or D AF Member of Chartered Institute of Management. Familiar with PC s and Microsoft Office suite including Excel and Powerpoint. E Familiarity with GIS and software and data systems commonly used in town planning. D 2. Experience Recent practical and procedural post qualification experience, at a senior level, of E town planning in a planning policy, development plan, or urban regeneration capacity. Recent experience at a senior level with management responsibilities for staff, resources, casework/projects and detailed E knowledge of associated organisational policies, practices and procedures. Experience of Quality Assurance or systematic approach to customer focused D service quality enhancement.

5 Essential Desirable Assessment Method (AF/I/ST/P) 3. Skills required Oral communication Able to present and communicate complex and contentious information clearly, confidently and in plain English to a range of E, ST audiences, including public meetings, Committees and inquiries Written communication An excellent level of written communication, able to communicate` E, ST complex and contentious information clearly to a range of audiences in a style appropriate to the medium Familiar with PC s and MS Office suite including Excel and Powerpoint. E Familiarity with GIS and planning D software and data systems. 4. Expected Values and Behaviours (a) Trust Able to take responsibility for own actions (b) One Team Able to work with, encourage and support others and partners to achieve better results for everyone (c) Performance Good problem solving and analytical skills to diagnose and resolve issues (d) Innovation Forward thinking to anticipate and avert future problems (e) Customer Able to demonstrate the ability to provide services that are tailored to the needs of different communities.

6 Essential Desirable Assessment Method (AF/I/ST/P) 5. Physical demands Able to undertake site visits and meetings E outside the office 6. Other Requirements: Full driving licence and access to car for business use. Ability to undertake occasional out of hours work. Attendance at E Committee or Cabinet meetings or similar. A satisfactory attendance record in E accordance with the Council s Managing Absence policy, taking account of your individual circumstances. Signed:.Dated: (Postholder) Signed: Dated: (Manager) *AF - Application Form I - Interview ST - Sample Test P - Psychometrics

7 EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL LIMITS OF AUTHORITY Planning Policy Manager NFP01 Authority Spending Control Officer For budgets and expenditure codes attaching to the post as set out in the Council s budget document and subject to direction by the Director. Authorised Signatory As set out in the schedule maintained by the Director of Resources and updated from time to time by the Director. Comments The postholder has responsibility for the planning policy budget. This will include monitoring that budget and signing for expenditures. The postholder is a spending control officer. Postholder will also ensure that planning policy budget is not overspent and will prepare draft budget as directed. The postholder is responsible for signing: relevant staff development reviews, time sheets, official orders, invoices/expenditure vouchers, car mileage claims, contract payments, petty cash, leave cards, toil and flexitime cards. Financial Regulations As required by Directors or as directed by the Council. Delegated Authorities As determined by the Director in accordance with the schedule of delegated authorities in the Council s Constitution. The postholder will: comply with accounting guidance provided and contribute to the development of performance plans in line with statutory requirements; ensure appropriate financial/accounting records are maintained and make payments for consultants; sign official orders within specified parameters. No responsibilities Statutory Authorities As determined by the Director and approved by Council specifically or as delegated. Signing of Correspondence As determined by the Director in any relevant category of correspondence. No responsibilities The postholder can sign all correspondence concerning planning policy and as agreed with the Assistant Director. Supervisory/Managerial As determined by the Director. The postholder is responsible for the management of human resources made available for the planning policy function, including external consultants as appropriate.