Job Title: / Group Leader Development Management
Grade: / PO4
Post Number: / M201
Base/Location: / Southfields Office
Responsible To: / Head of Planning and Regeneration
Responsible For: / All staff within the Development Management Group
Key Relationships/
Liaison with: / Internal:
· Heads of Service, senior officers, corporate working groups, elected members.
External:
· Applicants, developers/agents, government agencies, members of the public, the media, local, regional and national partners.
Job Purpose
Under the direction of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, to
· Manage the Development Management, Building control, Street Naming and Numbering and Enforcement functions
· Oversee the processing and determination of applications for planning permission, building regulation approvals and other applications , as well as the investigation and enforcement as necessary of breaches of Planning and Building Control
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. / Under the direction of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, manage the delivery of an efficient and effective Development Management Function in accordance with adopted service standards, allocated budgets and defined performance indicators.
2. / Manage the delivery of the day to day activities of the Development Management Group so as to work towards the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Objectives, the implementation of the adopted development plan, and the application of approved policies, standards and guidelines through the consideration and determination of applications for planning permission and Building Regulation approval.
3. / Deputise for the Head of Planning and Regeneration in accordance with the Constitution’s Scheme of delegation for the determination of planning applications, building control approvals and for the progression of enforcement cases as required.
4. / Ensure the preparation, review and maintenance of a scheme of Building Control and Development Management charges, in accordance with legal and constitutional requirements.
5. / Manage the delivery of the Building Control Commercial Services, assist in its future development and oversee the efficient operation of the Building Control Statutory Operations and Street Naming and Numbering function in order to meet service specifications and objectives.
6. / Ensure, through management of the Building Regulations Trading Account, that the Council satisfies its statutory obligations with regard to cost efficiency and accountability.
7. / Maintain and develop the commercial competitiveness of Building Control Commercial Services, having regard to market and corporate factors.
8. / Ensure the provision of out-of-hours resources to deal with dangerous structures emergencies and the recovery of costs where appropriate;
9. / Manage the preparation of reports for committee agendas and Council members concerning the determination of planning applications, the regularisation of breaches of planning control and street naming and numbering matters.
10. / Present reports to Council committees as appropriate and explain and defend the Borough Council’s policies and decisions at public inquiries, hearings, parish/town council meetings and in other stakeholder engagement forums.
11. / Advise and assist the Plans, Policies and Place Making Group in the preparation of the Council’s statutory local development framework and the development of related policies, standards and guidance.
12. / Advise and inform the Service’s stakeholders, including Councillors and Town and Parish Councils, on planning issues generally and keep them abreast of legislation and national guidance relating to Development Management and Building Control.
13. / Manage and motivate staff reporting directly, including measures for the effective communication of corporate and directorate initiatives.
14. / Identify and review with staff that report directly their training and development needs and co-ordinate the resources required to provide them with the skills and competencies needed to achieve agreed service related and corporate objectives.
15. / Contribute to continuous improvement in the delivery of services provided by the Planning and Regeneration Service.
Special Factors
· The nature of the work may involve the jobholder carrying out work outside of normal working hours.
This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the position and is designed for the benefit of both the post holder and the Council in understanding the prime functions of the post. It should not be regarded as exclusive nor exhaustive as there may be other duties and requirements associated with and covered by the grading of the post.
In particular it should be noted that the job is designed primarily to lead the delivery of the Development Management Group. However, the Service is committed to the development of a flexible staff structure equipped with the broad range of skills and abilities required to ensure the attainment and maintenance of high standards of service delivery in all aspects of Planning Services. Accordingly the post may be seconded to assist other functions within the Service subject to overall demands upon it.
Management have the right to vary the duties after consultation with you.
Charnwood Borough Council is seeking to promote the employment of disabled people and will make any adjustments considered reasonable to the above duties under the terms of the Equality Act 2010 to accommodate a suitable disabled candidate.
Job Description current at July 2014.
Job Title: / Group Leader Management & Building Control
Grade: / PO4
Post Number: / M201
/ Essential / Desirable / How assessed
Qualifications
Degree in Town and Country Planning or an equivalent qualification.
Membership of RTPI.
Leadership qualification such as ILM level 5 or recognised management qualification.Member of the RICS or ABE. / ü
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ü / App/Doc
App/Doc
App/Doc
App/Doc
Experience
Substantial experience of Development Management of which a significant proportion should have been spent at management level.
Knowledge of Building Control law, practice and issues.
Experience of dealing with complex planning applications and appeals.
Experience as an expert witness in Public Inquiries and leading and presenting reports to Committees.
Experience of managing a Building Control service.
Experience of delivering transformational change. / ü
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ü / App/
Int/
Test
Skills/Knowledge
Excellent working knowledge and understanding of current law and guidance relating to development management .
Knowledge of current law and guidance relating to building control functions.
Ability to analyse complex planning issues.
Experience of managing budgets and their reconciliation at year end.
Experience of using specialist development management case management software.
Working knowledge of Northgate M3 planning and building control software.
Experience of Electronic Document Management.
Ability to manage and reconcile the functions of Building Control in the context of a commercial business enterprise and a local authority service. / ü
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Int/
Test
Interpersonal Skills
Good oral and written communication skills.
Effective negotiation skills.
Leadership and motivational skills.
Presentation skills.
Ability to influence others and gain trust and confidence. / ü
ü
ü
ü
ü / Int/
Test
Disposition / Attitude
Must be tactful and diplomatic in face to face situations and over the telephone.
Self-motivated and well organised so that agreed deadlines are met.
Commitment to working corporately and within other multi agency teams.
Ability to work on own initiative and to deliver under pressure.
Commitment to customer service and its improvement. / ü
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Personal Circumstances
Must be able to be mobile around the district to inspect sites and building, including the negotiation of ladders, scaffolding and rough terrain.
Able to attend meetings outside of office hours. / ü
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Other requirements
An understanding of, and commitment to equal opportunities, and the ability to apply this to all situations. / ü / App/
Int
Must be able to perform all the duties and tasks of the job with reasonable adjustments, where appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. / ü
Key:
App = Application form
Test = Test
Int = Interview / Pre = Presentation
Med = Medical questionnaire
Doc = Documentary evidence (e.g. certificates)
Prepared by: Adrian Le Cras Date: July 2014
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