Senior Development Planning Officer

Senior / Planning Development Officer
Rate: -19.81 per hour PAYE
Location: Remote with 1 day in the Solihull office per week if required
Contract: 4 - 6 Months
Working hours: 37 per week

Overview: Opus People Solutions are recruiting on behalf of Solihull Borough Council for a Planning Officer with experience of monitoring and managing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements and process.

Job Purpose: The Planning Officer will support the delivery of Solihull Borough Council''s preparation, production and review of documents associated with the planning policy/housing strategy formulation for the Borough, including the tasks associated with producing such documents.

Responsibilities:

• To lead and/or support policy development on one or more specialist areas of planning policy/housing strategy. Such areas may include planning for new homes; affordable housing and delivery; employment; retail; sustainability appraisals; gypsy & traveller accommodation; and infrastructure delivery (including S106/CIL).
• To develop and/or maintaining one or more of the Council''s monitoring systems in relation to planning & development.
• To lead on commissioning evidence base studies (or similar) to be undertaken by external consultants; including scoping, procuring and overseeing the appointed consultants.
• To take a lead on advising and liaising with nominated parish councils and/or neighbourhood forums to support their neighbourhood planning preparations.
• To prepare and present reports to Council/Cabinet meetings, boards or committees as required.
• Presenting evidence in respect of planning appeals, including acting as expert witness at public inquiries and examinations in public.
• To provide support & guidance to other officers working on aspects of planning and housing delivery

Essential Knowledge required:

• Advanced understanding and application of relevant planning policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the role and commensurate to the operating level.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the role and purpose of the Local Authority, the responsibilities of the Service area, and the political operating arena.
• Experience of presenting effectively in meetings e.g. with stakeholders.
• Experience of working flexibly, prioritising tasks in order to meet deadlines

Essential Skills:

• Ability to take ownership, and show accountability and responsibility for your behaviours/actions; working well as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to show resilience and able to manage contentious situations and deal with matters of dispute.
• You have professional personal presentation to reflect the customer facing nature of the business.
• Demonstrable commitment to Continual Professional Development and personal development, with a willingness to identify your development needs.
• Ability to demonstrate clear awareness of our Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding responsibilities.