Can you lead our high-profile planning enforcement services?
We’re looking for someone to lead our team, to deliver our services, and put our customers at the heart of what we do.
If you think you can meet the challenge, we want to hear from you.
About us
Stroud District Council covers an area of 175 square miles and has an exceptionally diverse physical, historic, and natural environment offering infinite variety and interest. Over 50% of the district is designated a National Landscape. Our district contains over 3000 listed buildings, 68 scheduled ancient monuments, 41 conservation areas, and internationally and nationally important wildlife sites.
The Planning Enforcement team receive around 600 enquiries per year. We are a small, friendly, but busy team committed to investigating and resolving alleged breaches of planning control, either through informal negotiation or our statutory planning enforcement powers.
We recently approved our new Planning Enforcement Protocol and part of a programme of investment and improvement, which has included a major overhaul of our IT systems.
About the role
As Principal Planning Enforcement Officer you would investigate the most complex breaches of planning control to resolution, including formal enforcement and court action. You would also provide day-to-day leadership and coaching of the team, managing case allocation and closures, and providing professional guidance and supervision. The professional development of the team is one of our current key priorities, and you would bring about a programme of learning.
This is a key role for the whole Development Management service. It is a varied and active role with time regularly spent on site combined with management responsibilities. You need to have an aptitude for gathering information from various sources, interpreting technical documents, problem solving, diplomacy, and making clear, logical, and well-founded decisions. You also need great communication skills – both written and verbal – to explain your decisions in easily understood language to different audiences.
In this role you will need good time and people management skills, and the ability to manage and prioritise a mixed caseload at various stages of the process. As Principal Planning Enforcement Officer you will engage and build a rapport with colleagues and stakeholders, including partner agencies, complainants, developers, and elected Members.
About you
You will have substantial experience in planning enforcement and up-to-date knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and guidance. You will have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. You must be an effective communicator with a strong customer service focus. You will be able to deliver innovative solutions and problem solve, working co-operatively with others to achieve results. You need to be able to work under pressure in emotional and stressful situations.
You should be educated to degree level, preferably in planning or a related subject. You must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (or equivalent) – including mathematics and English – and 2 A-levels (or equivalent). You should be eligible for membership of the RTPI and a member of NAPE.
You will have experience of working in an office environment and Microsoft Office programs and have access to a car.
For an informal discussion, please contact Griff Bunce, Development Team Manager on 01453 766321.
Interview date: 27th September 2024
In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm we provide a range of staff benefits please click here for more information :
https://www.stroud.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/benefits-of-working-for-us
It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. In line with the Council’s duty to protect children and adults in a vulnerable situation from harm, we are obliged to assess the suitability of individuals for certain posts by undertaking DBS Checks.
Stroud District has an energy unlike any other place. It’s green and dynamic, climate conscious and motivated, creative and collaborative, rural and urban, and unapologetically ambitious. To find out more about what makes our place, our people and our businesses so special, please follow the link to our dedicated website:
Stroud District – The Natural Place
