Section 106 Officer

Job Description

Section 106 OfficerLocation: Widnes, Cheshire (Candidates must be able to commute to the office at least 2 days per week)Salary: £33,945 - £35,745 per annumThe Role

• To provide effective technical and professional guidance that enables the service to maintain the high standards and meet statutory requirements.
• To contribute towards the delivery and implementation of CIL and S106 and associated strategies and plans, with a particular specialism in infrastructure.
• To manage and maintain systems in respect of the development and effective implementation of the Borough Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Planning Obligations (Section 106 agreements - S106s).
• To manage the collection and subsequent distribution of related financial developer contributions arising from both CIL and S106s, in order to support the delivery of the community infrastructure priorities and projects in the Borough.
• To undertake the management of joint financial and non-financial systems for the administration, collection, monitoring and reporting of both CIL revenue and S106 financial and non-financial obligations.
• To manage spend/transfer of funds to enable the delivery of Borough wide infrastructure.
• To assist with reporting on infrastructure planning, CIL and S106 matters, such as through the annual Infrastructure Funding Statement and inputting to the Local Plan.

Key Duties

• Support the Service Manager, assist in project management, and provide professional advice to the service and other internal customers.
• Advise Members, Senior Officers, the Borough Council’s Development Management Team, and other customers on infrastructure implications associated with plan-making and decision taking.
• Develop and disseminate associated strategies and policies as required– specifically making contributions to the preparation of complex policies relating to infrastructure
• Preparing the production and collation of technical infrastructure evidence, strategies, and plans (to inform policy and decision making)
• Prepare and present papers and reports for a variety of different stakeholders
• To manage, maintain, and develop systems for the administration, recording, collection, spending, monitoring, and reporting of CIL revenue and S106 financial and non-financial obligations.
• To administer the Council’s S106 policy, including validation and verification of forms; securing invoicing and payment of planning obligations; monitoring of development to ensure it accords with agreed liability; monitoring of spend and enforcement wherenecessary.
• To fully utilise IT systems in the delivery of an effective and efficient Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 agreement administrative service through appropriate IT and supplier liaison and employee training, whilst maintaining data integrity.
• Preparation of reports on monies raised, spend profiles, the projects for and outcomes of spend as well as the identification of the infrastructure and S106 items delivered.
• Presentation of reports to managers and Committees as appropriate.
• To lead on and deal with enquiries on CIL and S106 (monitoring) including from elected Members, the local community and representatives of development interests, and through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
• To lead on reports/briefings for Committees or Lead Members on all CIL receipts/spend and S106 revenue and non-financial obligations.
• To provide and check accuracy and reliability of relevant information as part of the Authority Monitoring Report and Infrastructure Funding Statement
• To lead on responses to consultation documents from the Government, other planning agencies/bodies and adjoining planning authorities on CIL and S106 and to anticipate and keep fully up to date with Government announcements and statements.
• Support the Planning Policy Team in infrastructure planning policy including supporting the Council through public consultation(s) and examination in public on the Local plan and CIL Charging Schedule.
• Work closely with the wider team to ensure alignment of infrastructure planning with planning policy documents.
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job.

Skills & Qualifications

• Be educated to degree level or equivalent examination, relevant to this specialism, which can demonstrate knowledge of any of the following disciplines civil engineering, geology, geotechnics, geophysics, hydrogeology, and environmental science.
• Experience of dealing with the legislation, guidance and practice in relation to planning obligations.
• Experience of I.T. systems or a willingness to learn and develop I.T. skills.
• Experience developing good working relationships with a wide range of internal bodies, external customers and other stakeholders as part of developing effective service delivery
• Experience preparing and presenting technical reports and advice to a range of audiences
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on data
• Understanding of regulations and legislation relating to the CIL and Section 106 processes
• Working knowledge and competency with IT and a willingness to learn and develop further IT skills. Familiarity with word processing.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the practical application of legislation and standards relating to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

Additional Information

• Driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes is essential for this role
• The successful candidate will be required to attend occasional evening meetings

To ApplyIf you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable council, please do not hesitate to apply.