About North Somerset

North Somerset Council is a unitary authority of around 220,000 residents covering an area of around 37,500 hectares (145 square miles).

Located at the gateway to the South-West, North Somerset sits within the functional economic area of the West of England, hosting Bristol Airport and Bristol Port, with increasing interest from inward investors along the M5 corridor.

Our four main towns of Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon and Nailsea each have their own unique characteristics and opportunities, as do our extensive rural areas and AONBs.

North Somerset Council is dedicated to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

As Head of Planning, you will provide cross-council leadership to shape and support the delivery of sustainable growth and placemaking across North Somerset.

With an emerging national housing target approaching 24,000 homes, you will take us forward in developing and implementing a Local Plan that responds to the expected shift in delivery whilst also protecting quality of place and the special characteristics of North Somerset.

You will design operational improvements and reform of our day-to-day planning and building control services to deliver high quality and efficient customer focussed provision within the context of an increasingly constrained financial environment.

You will have strong technical knowledge and experience and will need to be able to work at all levels, both internally and externally to the council to develop strategy, find solutions, and ensure effective delivery.

Most of all, you will know how to retain the focus on the creation of great places that will benefit our residents and businesses now and for the future.

Key responsibilities:

Management of a team of 50 - 60 professionals.
Development and implementation of Local Plan and associated policies.
Efficient processing of over 1,500 applications, appeals and enforcement cases each year, with increasing use of Planning Performance Agreements.
Management of Building Control and other regulatory services.
Delivery and infrastructure planning for strategic locations.
Revenue budget of c. £3m/year (+ £6 - 7m development contributions and strategic reserves); requirement to meet MTFP saving and income targets.
Member of wider Directorate Leadership Team.
Representation of council at external partnerships, particularly the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

The post holder will work closely with other teams across Placemaking and Growth and across the wider council in support of sustainable growth and effective service delivery.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

About You

Alongside your planning knowledge and experience, you will be able to demonstrate excellent strategic leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. You will be able to communicate clearly to officers, members and partners to set direction, resolve issues and ensure effective delivery. You will have a strong ability to retain focus on core outcomes, whilst also understanding the mechanics of operational delivery in order to effect change.

Your experience will include experience and achievement at a senior management level in a comparable organisation, including robust financial, people and performance management.

Further details are available in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

Competitive salary and benefits
Flexible working arrangements
Opportunities for professional development
Staff groups
Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
Dedicated Wellbeing Team
Salary sacrifice cycle to work and Electric vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet .

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information:

For further information about the role, please contact Jenny Ford, Assistant Director for Placemaking & Growth, at jenny.ford@n-somerset.gov.uk or Lucy Shomali, Director of Place at lucy.shomali@n-somerset.gov.uk .

Important Information

Interview Date: Week commencing 28th October 2024.

We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

North Somerset Council

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Head of Planning