Job Description
Job Title:
Senior Strategic Planner
Team/Service:
Environmental Policy Division, Strategic Planning Group
Business Unit:
Planning, Development and Policy
Area:
Community Services
Responsible To:
Service Manager – Strategic Planning
(day to day issues)
Accountable To:
Service Manager – Strategic Planning
(line manager)
Salary Grade:
Scale SO1 to P2 (Spinal Point 29 to 38)
(Starting salary subject to experience and qualifications)
1. Key Purpose of Job
1.1.
To assist the Strategic Planning Group in the preparation and delivery of
statutory spatial development plans and other planning policy work required by
Torbay Council, with emphasis on the following tasks:
 The preparation of advice and strategies, policies and proposals for inclusion in
the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West, the Torbay Local
Development Framework and the New Growth Points programme.
 The provision of strategic planning advice to relevant internal and external
stakeholders and partners
 The preparation and supervision of other plans, strategies and research related
to the work of the Strategic Planning Group
2. Anticipated Outcomes of Post
2.1.
Progression and delivery of specific Local Development Documents forming
part of the Torbay Local Development Framework, in accordance with the
Council’s Local Development Scheme.
2.2.
Progression on the Regional Spatial Strategy, consistent with Torbay’s role as a
Section 4(4) Authority, in accordance with the work programme set out by the
Regional Assembly.
2.3.
Progression and delivery of the Council’s New Growth Points programme.
2.4.
The delivery of relevant research projects and other Council development
projects in accordance with agreed timescales.
3. Key Duties
3.1.
To assist in the preparation of key documents comprising the Torbay Local
Development Framework, in particular the Core Strategy, in the context of the
Council’s Community Plan.
3.2.
To assist with the submission of Section 4(4) advice to the Regional Assembly
in relation to the preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South
West.
3.3.
To assist with the preparation, monitoring and delivery of the Council’s New
Growth Points ‘Programme of Development’.
3.4.
To assist the Council by providing responses to consultations on national
legislation and related guidance.
3.5.
To initiate and co-ordinate relevant development plan research and monitoring
projects and to assume individual responsibility for specific areas of policy.
3.6.
To liaise with and provide advice to elected Members, other Council Business
Units and external agencies on strategic planning issues and to represent the
Division’s Strategic Planning Group as and when required.
3.7.
To provide advice to the Planning and Development Services Division on
matters relating to strategic spatial planning policy and to act in a consultation
role on major and other appropriate planning applications.
3.8.
To prepare evidence for independent examinations relating to the Regional
Spatial Strategy and Local Development Framework, and to act as an expert
witness for such examinations as required.
3.9.
To contribute to the preparation of evidence for public inquiries relating to
planning application appeals as appropriate.
3.10. To provide an information and advice service to the public, the business
community and local groups and organisations on strategic and other spatial
planning policy matters.
3.11. To assist the Service Manager with the preparation of other plans, research
projects, planning briefs and development strategies undertaken by, and
involving, the Business Unit.
4. Health and Safety Responsibilities
Employees:All employees will ensure that they;

Take care of their own safety and that of others.

Ensure that products, plant, equipment, vehicles and buildings are not damaged.

Comply with health and safety procedures and instructions.

Will not neglect, misuse, damage anything provided in the interest of health and safety.

Assist by reporting to their Line Manager any hazard, accident, damage or defect in
order that remedial action may be undertaken.

Undergo any training or instruction to enable them to work competently and safely.
5. Key Working Relationships
5.1.
External

Relevant central government departments

Government Office for the South West

Regional Assembly

Regional Development Agency

Devon County Council

Devon Unitary and District Councils

Groups and organisations within the local community, including local business and
voluntary groups, including those within the Torbay Strategic Partnership

Developers and professional agents
5.2.
Internal

The Elected Mayor

Elected Members of Torbay Council

Elected Members serving on the LDF Working Party

Officers within the Environmental Policy Division

Other Officers within the Planning, Development and Policy Business Unit

Other Officers of Torbay Council in relevant Business Units
6. Other Duties
To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
7. Other Information
a) All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
b) The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from
smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council
leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed
spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. Staff will not be
released for a break that is specifically for smoking.
c) The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all
relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
d) The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements.
e) This post is based at Roebuck house, Abbey Road, Torquay but the post-holder
may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a
future date.
f) You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal
convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You
will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
November 2007
Person Specification
Job
Title:
Senior Strategic Planner Business
Unit:
Planning, Development and
Policy
Team/
Service:
Environmental Policy Division
– Strategic Planning Group
Managers will assess candidates against their ability to meet the essential requirements of the job.
Candidates will be assessed against their ability to meet the desirable requirements of the job in a competitive situation.
Candidates with a disability will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential requirements only.
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
Candidates should explain how they meet each of the numbered requirements within their supporting statement.
Essential
Desirable
Skills and Effectiveness:
1a. Effective computer literacy skills (MS windows)
b. Sound level of numeracy
c. Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
d. Ability to write clear and concise reports and documents
e. A methodical approach to work
f. Ability to assess priorities and manage workloads
g. Ability to meet targets and to manage and deliver projects
within prescribed timescales
1a. Ability to demonstrate initiative and flexibility
Essential
Desirable
2a. Self-motivation, reliability and enthusiasm
b. Good written and verbal communication skills
c. A conscientious and committed attitude to work
d. Ability to work successfully as part of a team
e. Willingness to maintain and improve standards and
performance through implementation of good practice and
personal development
2a. Awareness and commitment to customer focus
Knowledge:
3a. A thorough knowledge of the development plan and spatial
planning policy agenda
c. A sound understanding of the Government’s New Growth
Points programme
b. Knowledge of current sustainability issues
3a. A sound awareness of contemporary planning issues
b. Knowledge of sustainability appraisal of development
plans
c. Familiarity with the application of GIS
Experience/Achievements:
4a. A minimum of two years relevant experience in spatial
planning policy work
b. Experience of the operation of the Local Development
Framework process and the preparation of Local
Development Documents
4a. Previous employment in a local authority policy
planning team
b. Experience of spatial planning policy-making at the
strategic level
c. Experience of preparation and implementation of New
Growth Point Programmes of Development
d. Experience of development plan monitoring
e. Experience of undertaking and / or supervising
research projects and related data management
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications/Professional Memberships:
5a. A Diploma or Degree in Town Planning at
graduate or post graduate level, recognised by the Royal
Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
b. Membership of the RTPI
Other requirements of the job
a) Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay and occasionally around the South West in order to carry out duties
November 2007