Lead Officer Planning and Transport Strategy

Halton Borough Council; Widnes; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days holiday per year

LGPS pension

Life cover 3x salary

Personal development

Free car parking

Hybrid/flexible working

Employee benefits platform

Job summary

Halton Borough Council is seeking a motivated Lead Officer for Planning & Transport Policy to join the Forward Planning team in Widnes. You will shape the borough’s Local Plan, oversee policy development and lead public consultations, reporting to senior boards and contributing to examinations in public.

The role requires a RTPI accredited degree and a minimum of six years’ experience in planning policy. Hybrid working, generous leave, LGPS and development support are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years planning and transport policy experience.
• RTPI accredited degree required.
• Experience leading Local Plan policy development.
• Ability to present to boards and public examinations.

Responsibilities

• Leading on Local Plan making in line with NPPF guidance.
• Commissioning and reviewing evidence base for Local Plan.
• Writing and presenting reports to boards and audiences.
• Providing comprehensive planning policy responses.
• Leading public consultation processes.
• Experience of presenting or leading at an Examination in Public.

Skills

Local Plan policy

NPPF knowledge

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Education

RTPI accredited degree

Job description

37 hours per week

Our Story:

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring three iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports. Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services. We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’.

Our Team:

Halton are looking for a motivated Lead Officer – for Planning & Transport Policy to join its Forward Planning team. Halton adopted its ambitious Local Plan in 2022 which provides a platform for future generations to live, work and visit, and it’s about to embark on its journey to develop its next Local Plan. We are looking for an experienced Principal Planning Policy Officer who is ready to take the next step to become Halton’s Lead Planning and Transport Policy Officer. We would expect you to have a minimum of 6 years Planning & Transport Policy experience, hold a RTPI accredited degree and demonstrable experience of leading key planning policy to develop a Local Plan Policies that will directly contribute to the growth and development of the Borough.

Your Contributions:

• Leading on Local Plan making in accordance with NPPF guidance
• Commissioning/Reviewing Evidence Base for Local Plan
• Writing & Presenting Reports to various boards/audiences
• Providing comprehensive Planning Policy responses
• Leading Public Consultation
• Experience of presenting /leading at an Examination in Public

Our Offer:

• A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service with the option to purchase an additional four-days of unpaid leave for our Annual Christmas Closedown
• Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
• 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
• Investment in your personal development
• Free Car Parking at HBC sites
• Flexible working arrangements (currently 60/40 office/home)
• Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme

Next Steps:

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 28th September 2026

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – [e-mail]

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications.

We look forward to receiving your application!