Key Responsibilities: Lead on the council's involvement in neighbourhood planning, working alongside planning policy colleagues. Promote and support neighbourhood plans by attending meetings, delivering presentations, and advising local communities and councillors. Coordinate the council's formal responses to consultations, securing input from internal departments and external bodies. Guide qualifying bodies through each stage of the neighbourhood plan process, from designation through to examination, referendum, and adoption. Ensure neighbourhood plan policies are appropriately applied when determining planning applications. Represent the council at public meetings, inquiries, and examinations, including acting as an expert policy witness where required. Provide advice on regulations, policy interpretation, funding opportunities, and supporting evidence. Manage statutory processes, including examiner appointments and referendums. Monitor performance, provide data for reporting, and support budgetary planning. Contribute to the wider planning policy function, including local plan and supplementary planning document preparation. Requirements: Proven experience in planning policy within a local authority, with specific knowledge of neighbourhood planning legislation and practice. Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work confidently with councillors, communities, and external bodies. Excellent presentation, communication, and organisational skills. Ability to represent the council effectively at public meetings and formal inquiries. Vivid Resourcing are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships or any other characteristic protected by law.