Planning Technician

Job Description

Job Category: Housing, Benefits & Planning
Location: Town Hall, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Hours Per Week: 36.00
Start Date: Immediate Start
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:30
Salary: £12.29

General description of role:
We are recruiting for a Planning Support Officer to join the Planning Support Team which handles the administrative and technical processes involved in the submission, registration, validation, notification and determination of planning and related applications as well as various tasks associated with planning appeals.

Although based at the town hall offices in Reigate, the role could involve working from home.
You would be part of a busy and proactive team which is one of a few in the country to operate fully paperless working. Principally, you will be dealing with the initial validation and registration of some of the 2,500 planning and related applications received each year as well as providing administrative support to both the Planning Admin Team Leader and Planning Officers throughout the application process, including preparations for Planning Committee meetings. Ideally you would have an interest in and/or ability to interpret plans. The role requires extensive use of the Council’s document management and database systems so strong IT literacy is essential although training and support will be given.

Top Duties / Responsibilities of Role:
1. Carry out the tasks involved in the initial registration of planning and other applications received under Town and Country Planning legislation using a document management and workflow system (Civica), digital database (Uniform), including the following main tasks:

⦁ Indexing, validating and registering all planning applications on receipt
⦁ Initial gathering of key information about the application such as history, location and planning constraints to ensure that we undertake all necessary consultation
⦁ Ensuring that the application and documentation meets relevant validation checks and where necessary liaising with case officers and applicants to request additional information
⦁ Setting up and maintaining electronic files and cases for the applications on our database and document management systems
⦁ Generating site notices and letters to neighbouring properties and statutory consultees in accordance with legislative requirements and our standard protocols

2. Processing planning decisions and issuing decision notices to applicants/agents
3. Answering queries relating to the validation, registration and progress of applications submitted, and liaising with case officers and applicants where necessary
4. Supporting preparations for, and attending, Planning Committee meetings, including collating electronic agenda and managing requests to speak
5. Assisting with the uploading and updating of planning related information on the Council’s website.