Contents

  1. Career development and progression with Bexley Council
  2. Place Directorate - Neighbourhoods, Housing and Strategic Planning
  3. E-learning – mandatory training
  4. Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure
  5. Environmental services
  6. Economic development and skills
  7. Libraries and communities
  8. Strategic planning: Transport and development, planning policy, place making and building control
  9. Planning and regulations
  10. Housing services
  11. Leisure, parks and open spaces
  12. Parking services

8. Strategic planning: Transport and development, planning policy, place making and building control

The Learning and Development opportunities within Strategic Planning are available through a number of training providers.

For example, our subscription to Urban Design London's learning program, offers a range of courses. The 2024/25 package includes the following topics:
 

  1. Planning Reform - With the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act coming into force, and updates to the NPPF, these sessions will give you a thorough understanding of the latest changes to the planning system
  2. Environmental Responsibility - Climate change is arguably the most important challenge when making decisions about urban and rural planning, housing, infrastructure and transport. These sessions will examine the issues and discuss solutions
  3. Placemaking - These sessions will cover the fundamentals of designing – and making possible the design – of practical, liveable and enjoyable places
  4. Design Codes - These design code events will take you through the process of what codes are, where and how best to use them and why design codes can be helpful to ensure a quality framework for great placemaking
  5. Blue and Green Infrastructure - With increasing awareness of issues such as flooding and species loss, and the requirements of legislation including the Environment Act 2021, having a good grasp of the policies and tools available is crucial
  6. Development and Net Zero - Looking at those aspects of development that will move us towards the UK 2050 target. These sessions will look in detail at different approaches to reducing the environmental impact of development
  7. Housing Design - Covering a range of need-to-know issues that support the design and delivery of high-quality homes
  8. Placemaking Design Principles - Exploring how to design a successful place, understanding what makes a good new neighbourhood and how it should relate to surrounding areas
  9. Plan Making - With recent legislation putting even more emphasis on up-to-date plans, these sessions focus on how to assemble, write and justify one
  10. Transport and Streets - This training series will help those involved in managing future transport infrastructure and services to keep up-to-date with current best practice

Debate and Discuss sessions - across the year UDL holds discussions and debates on topical issues. These may look at the implications of new legislation, funding mechanisms or policy. The topics usually are set near the session dates.

Other training opportunities are offered through professional bodies such as:

  • The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
  • The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
  • The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)•
  • The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
  • The Association of Project Management (APM)
  • The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Additionally training, development and networking opportunities are offered through NFP Workshops, the Planning Advisory Service (PAS), the Planning Officers Society (POS) and the Association of London Borough Planning Officers (ALBPO).

Building control Learning Offer: LABC Public Service Building Control and Competence Development

We are members of the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), which provides a variety of educational pathways and courses, focusing on building control, regulatory compliance, and professional development for public service professionals:

  1. Competence Validation for Surveyors: Funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), this pathway supports surveyors working on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) in England, providing education and validation to enhance competence.
  2. Fire Safety Fundamentals: Covers the building regulation requirements for fire safety, offering professionals a foundation in applying fire safety principles.
  3. Building Regulations for Designers, Architects & Specifiers: A practical half-day course for professionals needing an understanding of the Building Regulations and Building Act.
  4. Specialised Courses:
    1. Dangerous Structures & Demolition: Focuses on legal procedures and notices related to unsafe structures
    2. Effective Enforcement: Provides skills for both informal and formal building control enforcement actions
    3. Financial Management Principles: Tailored courses for Building Control Managers and Service Directors, covering budgeting and financial legislation
    4. Ground Works and Foundations: Delivers knowledge on foundations, ground works, and relevant sections of the Building Act.
  5. Technical Seminars and Updates: Including regional events and small technical roadshow seminars for practitioners.
  6. Continual Professional Development (CPD): LABC offers a Virtual Learning Environment and CPD tracking through the myLABC platform, helping professionals maintain their competence and stay up-to-date with industry changes

These programs are designed to help building control professionals navigate the evolving regulations and responsibilities in public service building standards and are subject to individual personal development plans.

Other training opportunities are also offered through professional bodies such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIB).

Coaching and mentorship Offer

Our council's Coaching offer is available to all staff. Coaches from our internal coaching pool typically provide up to six sessions to support individuals in improving and self-reflecting on a variety of topics.

We are excited to offer a comprehensive Mentorship, designed to support both new starters and emerging leaders within our organisation. This initiative is tailored to provide hands-on learning, professional development, and growth opportunities through structured mentoring and shadowing.

In addition, emerging leaders, including Senior career grade officers and Deputy Managers, will receive regular, tailored mentoring sessions. These sessions will focus on career advancement, leadership development, and growth. Guidance will be provided by experienced senior professionals, helping you to align your development with your personal objectives.

Buddy and work shadowing

This initiative is available for entry-level roles. New starters will have the chance to shadow senior colleague, gain insights from complex cases, and observe the day-to-day workings of an expert in the field.

Annual Focus on PDP and career objectives

Our program emphasises personal growth by focusing on your Personal Development Plan (PDP) linked to key objectives of your role each year. Where relevant, we use a Competency Matrix to evaluate your progress and identify areas to focus on, ensuring that your development aligns with your career aspirations.

Opportunity to lead learning initiatives

As part of your growth, you’ll have the opportunity to take the lead on learning and development initiatives within your department, particularly during team meetings. This will enhance your leadership skills and help foster a culture of continuous learning within the team.

Leadership development through Bexley leadership academy (for all staff managing others and emerging managers)

Our Bexley Leadership Academy is open for new staff and emerging leaders:

  • Leadership Essentials 1: Available to all levels of staff who manage others or are emerging leaders. This course covers technical systems, Bexley Council processes, and operational procedures, equipping participants with essential managerial skills
  • Leadership Essentials 2: For managers or emerging leaders taking on increased responsibility. This focuses on leadership behaviours that align with Bexley Council’s values, culture, and long-term strategy, helping professionals develop both soft skills and strategic thinking.

Progression routes

The career grade system allows officers to progress to more senior grades within a single post as they acquire qualifications, knowledge and experience in their discipline. The process is set out fully in the career grade scheme.

Progression route for placemaking projects

  • Assistant Placemaking Projects Officer
  • Placemaking Projects Officer
  • Senior Placemaking Projects Officer

Progression route for transport & development

  • Technician
  • Assistant Technical Officer
  • Technical Officer
  • Senior Technical Officer (requires level 4 qualification)
  • Engineer/Transport Planner
  • Assistant Transport and Development Officer (eligible for student member of professional institution)
  • Transport and Development Officer (eligible for associate member of professional institution)
  • Senior Transport and Development Officer (eligible for chartered member of professional institution)

Progression route for planning policy

  • Technician
  • Assistant Technical Officer
  • Technical officer
  • Senior Technical Officer (requires level 4 qualification)
  • Planner
  • Assistant Planning Policy Officer (eligible for student member RTPI)
  • Planning Policy Officer (eligible for associate member RTPI)
  • Senior Planning Policy Officer (eligible for chartered member RTPI)

Progression route for building control

  • Technician
  • Assistant Technical Officer
  • Technical Officer (requires level three qualification and technical
    membership of CABE or equivalent)
  • Senior Technical Officer
  • Inspector
  • Trainee Building Inspector
  • Assistant Building Inspector (requires achievement of BICoF Class 2
    Cat A)
  • Building Inspector (requires achievement of BICoF Class 2 Cat B and
    eligibility for full membership of RICS, CABE or CIOB)
  • Senior Building Inspector (requires achievement of BICoF Class 2 Cat
    E)

Relevant apprenticeships:

  • Level 4 Town planning assistant Apprenticeship
  • Level 6 Chartered town planner (degree) Apprenticeship
  • Level 6 Building control surveyor (degree)
  • Level 7 Architect (integrated degree) Apprenticeship
  • Level 4 to 6 Project Apprenticeships
  • Level 3/6 Transport planning Apprenticeships
  • Level 6 Civil engineer (degree) Apprenticeships

By following these learning and development pathways and progression routes, professionals across Strategic Planning can advance their career through structured training, leadership development, and mentoring. This includes pathways for both established and emerging leaders, supported by the Bexley Leadership Academy.

Find out more on apprenticeships