Service Support Assistant

Pendle Council is a small but ambitious borough council committed to delivering high-quality services to our residents and supporting sustainable development across our communities. Our Planning Service plays a vital role in shaping the future of the district, and we are now looking for an organised, customer-focused Service Support Officer to join the team.

You will provide essential administrative and customer service support to the Planning team. You will help ensure the smooth processing of planning applications, maintain accurate records, respond to enquiries from residents, applicants and stakeholders, and support the team in delivering an efficient and responsive service. You will also support building control.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for planning enquiries via phone, email and in person
• Provide high-quality administrative support across the Planning Service
• Register and validate planning applications in line with statutory requirements
• Maintain planning records, document management systems and databases
• Assist with preparing reports, correspondence and agenda packs
• Support statutory consultations and public notifications
• Work collaboratively with planning officers, applicants, agents and members of the public
• Ensure data accuracy, confidentiality and compliance with relevant legislation
• Process building control applications

Qualifications and Experience

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Confident working with IT systems and able to learn new software quickly
• A clear and professional communicator
• Able to work independently and as part of a small, supportive team
• Customer-focused with a positive, solution-focused approach
• Experienced in administration—ideally in a planning, local government or regulatory environment (desirable, not essential)

Pendle is in Lancashire’s scenic Pennines, close to the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, and Manchester.

We Offer

• Flexible working, including no set core hours, up to 2 flexi days per month, and compressed hours
• Up to 31 days annual leave
• Flexible contracts requiring 2–3 days in the office each week (more if needed); you should live within commuting distance of Nelson, Lancashire

Our Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Option to buy extra annual leave
• Cycle to Work, home tech, and car salary sacrifice schemes
• Discounts at major retailers via the Vivup programme
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on any basis, including disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or age.

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Salary: GBP 24000 - 28000 per year