Walsall Council
Head of Planning & Building Control - Ref: EE08326
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Head of Planning and Building Control - Ref: EE08326
Grade: SM1; Salary Range: £84,191- £95,535
We are pleased to be advertising this exciting role at an exceptional time to be joining Walsall's planning service. The Local Plan is set to go out to Regulation 19 in the autumn with a view to submission in December 2026, we have a number of very significant large-scale infrastructure and housing schemes going through the application process, we have a significant 4-year investment in planning enforcement, we are growing the Building Control Team and in Environmental Protection we making significant changes around air quality measures. There is an emphasis on redeveloping derelict sites within the Borough, and all of this is within the evolving policy context of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the emerging SDS.
The role is intrinsically linked to regeneration and culture programmes and this rare opportunity to lead planning through a time of significant transformation is one that would suit someone looking to develop their career further. Walsall is delivering an ambitious programme of regeneration, supported by substantial public and private investment, with major opportunities across town centre renewal, housing growth, employment development, transport connectivity and place-making. From the regeneration of Walsall Town Centre and the delivery of new residential communities, to the growth opportunities presented by the Walsall Growth Zone and emerging strategic transport infrastructure, planning is at the forefront of shaping the borough's future.
The service has an improvement agenda which is being led by team members. Building on the PAS review in 2025 which has seen many of the recommendations implemented, the Performance Taskforce is looking to make incremental improvements to deliver an excellent service and to deliver the best outcomes for our communities. We would welcome applications from people with a strong track record of service improvement and transformation together creative ideas on how to drive higher performance within the teams. In addition, we are looking to continue the commercialisation of relevant parts of the service and would be keen to hear from people who have experience of expanding a council's discretionary service offer for example by increasing the use of Planning Performance Agreements and growing the market share of the Building Control Team.
As Head of Planning, you will provide visible and influential leadership, ensuring the planning service supports sustainable growth, accelerates investment, safeguards quality and design, and contributes directly to the delivery of the We Are Walsall 2040 vision.
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Could you be the person to take the service and vision for the Borough forward?
View Job Description and Employee Specification [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/EE08326%20Head%20of%20Planning%20and%20Building%20Control%20JDES_0.pdf]
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-12/Information%20for%20Applicants%202023_0.pdf] for further information.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Act as the council’s Chief Planning Officer and principal advisor to the council and its planning committee.
- Provide professional leadership to the planning and building control service and lead the local planning authority function.
- Oversee the council’s environmental protection functions, including air quality, industrial permitting, contaminated land, noise and odour control.
- Facilitate commercial approaches to the delivery of the planning, building control and environmental protection services, including maximisation of income in line with the commercial strategy.
- Ensure the council operates the range of functions in line with national planning legislation, taking account of any changes in a proactive and timely manner.
- Implement a transparent model of tracking section 106 contributions across the authority and regularly report to the Section 106 Board, planning committee, and scrutiny committees.
- Ensure the timely delivery of an up-to-date local development plan for Walsall to support regeneration, investment, and place-making in the borough.
- Maintain key relationships with businesses, developers, agents, architects, housing partners, and relevant government bodies to support the council’s efforts in improving the planning and building control service.
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QUALIFICATIONS
Educated to degree level/Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject, membership of an appropriate professional body such as the RTPI and/or significant relevant equivalent experience.
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/benefits-of-working-for-us]. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that's you, we're waiting for your application.
Living in Walsall
Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.
Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours. Visit our microsite [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/social-work-recruitment] to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children's Social Worker.
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