Join us in laying the foundations for a better, brighter East Cambridgeshire

The planning team at East Cambridgeshire District Council is on a mission.

We are seeking highly motivated planning professionals, looking for an exciting and agile role to showcase and be rewarded for their planning skills to join our 29 strong Strategic Planning and Development Control Service.

We have an ambitious vision to create a better, brighter East Cambridgeshire. One that responds to residents' needs, adopts a digital first approach, helps protect and enhance our environment and is financially sustainable.

The past year has seen us review and significantly invest in our planning service to help prepare for a new Local Plan to shape the future growth and prosperity of our region. We also manage a busy and varied case load which includes overseeing several major projects, creating new supplementary planning documents, bringing on commercial sites and supporting community-led development and neighbourhood planning.

We have expanded our capacity and committed to adopting the latest technological advances that streamline our processes and enable us to deliver high-quality customer service. All this is supported by a new website launching later this year and an office refurbishment.

Come and join us at this pivotal time of change and help us make decisions with real and lasting impact.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is located in the beautiful cathedral city of Ely and prides itself on a unique and customer-focused approach to local government. We are small but mighty, with no debt and thanks to support from our trading companies, have not raised Council Tax for over 11 years.

We offer an excellent pay, holiday and pension package, plus flexible working and career development.

Quite simply, there has never been a more exciting time to pursue a career in planning in East Cambridgeshire.

We are looking for experienced planning professionals with a 'can do' attitude who:

• would like to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• thrive on varied, fulfilling and rewarding work
• want a key role in shaping future investment, growth and regeneration

The benefits

Our benefits include:

• generous annual leave allowance starting at 24 days per year
• flexible working
• local government pension scheme 17.4% employer contribution
• market supplement up to £7,000 annually, plus essential car use allowance for the Strategic Planning and Development Control Manager role
• childcare package
• training, development and professional fees
• occupational health programme and sickness entitlements
• essential car allowance (relevant posts only)
• outstanding location - with it's excellent transport links, beautiful countryside and waterways, thriving markets and friendly communities, it is no surprise East Cambridgeshire is rated one of the happiest and healthiest places to live in the UK

About you

To be considered for the role, you should:

• have a recognised qualification in planning, appropriate to the level of the post, and/or equivalent experience
• be proactive and confident to demonstrate your judgement and initiative
• be a positive team player who wants to deliver for the council and our communities
• have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• be innovative and open-minded to respond to the changing planning macro environment
• have a passion to deliver high quality customer-focused planning outcomes
• have a valid driving licence

About us

We have big plans for the future and massive opportunities ahead.

As well as embarking on a new Local Plan and overseeing several major projects, we also operate in a recognised Enterprise Zone and have one of the largest number of community-led CLTs in the country.

You can read more about is in our Corporate Plan and in our Service Delivery Plans.

We know that our team members are our most valuable asset who work hard to achieve our short and long-term goals.

We offer a range of exciting benefits as an employer and are committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and in the services we provide. You can also view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

If you are looking to work for an organisation that prioritises environmental sustainability, the council has made a clear commitment to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner and has recently been awarded the silver accreditation of the Investors in the Environment scheme.

If you are interested

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in any of these roles, even if you do not meet all of the essential requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet most of the criteria, we would love to hear from you.

For an information discussion about any of the posts please call 01353 665555 and ask to speak to the Director (Operations).

Closing date for completed applications: 17 November 2024
Interviews will be held W/C 25 November 2024

Please note that only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted by the HR Department. If you have not been contacted by the 11 November, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Reference: PLN064
Salary: Grade 6  (£36,124 - £41,511)

The role

• To be an officer helping managing and delivering the strategic planning service, covering matters such as development plans (Local Plan), neighbourhood plans, regional planning, supplementary planning, monitoring, and research.
• Work on other strategic planning projects and monitoring tasks as required, such as the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement and assisting parish councils in their preparation of neighbourhood plans and/or orders
• Contribute to wider strategic housing and environmental policy and strategy formulation and corporate regeneration projects
• Help the service area to prepare evidence for use by the Council at public examinations, hearings, committees, and written appeals as required

Post requirements

• Degree or post-graduate qualification in Town and Country Planning or closely related subject giving eligibility for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Some experience of working in the fields of planning policy and/or statutory development plans. Such experience could be in the form of work experience or ‘year out’ student work placements
• Experience of delivering presentations

In return, the Council offers a range of benefits including:

• flexible working 
• childcare scheme (in approved cases)
• occupational health programme
• training and development
• essential car user allowance
• holiday, sickness and salary pension scheme entitlements

The Council is an equal opportunities employer.