Job Introduction
Milton Keynes is unique. At the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, and a focus for growth outside of London, our recently adopted Plan:MK with its healthy housing land supply, aims to deliver at least 26,500 new homes by 2031. The Council has also begun working on its ‘Strategy for 2050’ to grow the population to over 400,000 people and deliver associated economic growth.
Proactive, ambitious and hardworking, you will work with fellow officers and stakeholders to confidently and efficiently handle planning matters, so to deliver an effective development management service for Milton Keynes Council. Reporting to the Principal Planning Officers and Team Leaders, you will work closely with others, helping to shape the Planning Services to deliver physical, social and economic growth for Milton Keynes. We’re also looking to embrace technology in order to respond to Planning for the Future.
This post is initially a two-year fixed term role following a positive restructure to create new roles and new opportunities for progression within the service, and to meet the high demand and ambitions for growth with the Borough.
Main Responsibility
- Ensuring that all planning applications are efficiently and professionally determined whilst delivering an excellent customer service experience. Utilising creative problem-solving skills when required.
- Supporting the work of the Development Management Team to individually and collectively deliver effective Development Management and continuous improvement to the service.
- Building and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders providing a professional approach, focused on achieving results.
- Keep up to date with changing technical, legislative and organisational requirements by undertaking appropriate development and training.
- Regularly carry out site inspections and attend site meetings held away from the normal place of work.
- Attend and present cases at the Development Control Panel when required.
- Shadow and support senior officers on major applications and larger cases in order to support the team and expand your knowledge and experience of larger development.
- Champion equality and diversity across the Council and the wider Borough.
The Ideal Candidate
This post is a fantastic opportunity to join a busy, dynamic team and take the first steps in your planning career. The ideal candidate will have some knowledge and experience of Development Management and town planning, ideally including a degree level qualification in Town and Country Planning (or similar).
You will need to be able to plan, manage and organise your own work and work to deadlines, with excellent written and confident verbal communication skills. You will need to be confident with your use of IT and preferably experience of case management databases and DPA/GDPR compliance. You should also have outstanding customer service skills, for both customers and colleagues.
We’re looking for people who are proactive and can work using their own initiative, and who can make constructive, positive contributions to the continuous improvement and ongoing work within the Planning Service.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 19.7%
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cashplan
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles)
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs)
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements
- Childcare Subsidy
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, multi cultural, adrenaline packed expanding city with so much to offer on its door step. From beautiful open spaces, a busy theatre district, large shopping centre to a number of cultural and leisure facilities.
Milton Keynes Council has an array of responsibilities, such as: education, housing, highways and social services. Altogether, the council provides over 240 services to the citizens of Milton Keynes, and to meet such an extensive and diverse range of challenges we must be innovative and dynamic to provide services successfully to meet the increasing demands that will accompany the growth of Milton Keynes. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with us. If you want to make a difference and experience a fulfilling job measured on outcomes and results with great work-life balance, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.
