Job Introduction
About Us
The County Council's Planning Development Management team fulfils the statutory functions of the council as a Planning Authority. It processes county matter planning applications for minerals and waste developments and also the council's planning applications for its own developments e.g. schools and roads. It also monitors and enforces as required breaches of planning control related to these same developments and produces the council's Minerals and Waste Local Plan and related statutory documents.
About the Role
The Planning Applications Team Leader manages the Planning Applications team within the wider Planning Development Management team. The post-holder directly line manages six members of staff processing planning applications and related work. The team processes planning applications from validation to determination, including the production of relevant reports including to the council's Planning and Regulation Committee as may be required. The team also produces Screening and Scoping Opinions for Environmental Impact Assessment development and provides pre-application advice to potential applicants. The role is available for an 18 months period to provide maternity leave cover.
About you
You will be educated to degree level, preferably with a planning degree or diploma and will be a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or eligible for Membership. You will have substantial knowledge and experience of development management process and procedures including appeals, including up to date knowledge of planning law and practice. You will have substantial experience of direct line management or supervision of staff to deliver a planning applications service in line with achieving performance standards and statutory timeframes. You will have the ability to use own judgment in a range of situations, dealing with complex case issues and sensitive situations. You will have excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to prepare clear and concise reports. You will have understanding and experience using data, insight and performance measures to assess the impact of services and inform decisions and service planning to improve outcomes. You will be proficient in MS Office skills (Word, Outlook, Excel etc.). A Management qualification (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) and understanding the need to comply with the Council’s constitution, including its contract and financial procedures and regulations will be beneficial.
Rewards and benefits
- The post is Grade 14, salary scale points 43 to 46 (£52,805 - £56,070) 2025/26 salary award pending from 1st April 2025.
- A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.
- Range of family friendly policies.
- Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact us at: David.Periam@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
