Planning Manager

MMP Consultancy are currently recruiting for a Planning Manager to join a fantastic local authority in Essex on a Permanent basis.
Key Responsibilities:
* Contribute to achieving the Council's corporate objectives and priorities
* Contribute to the Council's agenda for achieving continuous improvement in service delivery and any external performance assessments
* Ensure that development management achieves the highest standards of design and place making and works with developers to achieve that
* Manage the Development Management and Enforcement Service and provide support for the overall management of Development Services and input into corporate projects
* Provide the Council with professional advice on planning matters affecting the Borough and implement the highest standards of professional integrity
* Commission and ensure the effective delivery of all aspects of development management and enforcement services, including pre-application advice, planning application determination, appeal processing and planning enforcement, including regular reports to the Development Management Committee
* Ensure that the planning services consistently comply with relevant legislation as well as the Council's policies and procedures
* Ensure consistent decision making to enable the effective implementation of the Local Plan
* Management of all development management and enforcement planning work including the provision of advice and guidance in accordance with the Council's policies and procedures
* Defining what best practice and optimum looks like and inputting that into service plans, budgets and monitoring, including within agreed limits cost centre management responsibilities; to recruit staff and ensure that staff development plans are agreed, and appraisals against those plans are undertaken; to identify own and staff development and training needs; to input into corporate projects as required; and if required deputise for the Assistant Director of Development Services
* Be committed to continuing professional development, keeping informed and up-to-date on best practice, relevant legislation and current planning issues and to implement service, technological and culture changes and improvements necessary to maintain and enhance the development management function at the leading edge of best practice
* Ensure effective and good decision making, including by the Development Management Committee and to contribute to an effective training programme for Committee members and providing clear professional advice to elected members
* Commission, guide and undertake analysis and interpretation of data, policy and law
* To undertake, manage and represent the Council at external meetings (including within professional forums), briefings, presentations, tribunals, public inquiries, engagement work and consultation with stakeholders, including the community, as required
* To foster strong internal working links between all the functions of the Council's planning activities, and create an environment for ideas, innovation and the development of best practice
* In conjunction with the Assistant Director for Development Services, ensure that there is effective communication between the team and senior management, other service areas within the Council and elected members as necessary