Trustee - Planning

This Trustee role is an exciting opportunity to add value and scale to what CPRE Leicestershire does and contribute to its success.  We are looking to appoint a Planning Trustee with a passion for environmental and countryside issues and experience or knowledge of the planning system, with an understanding of organisational management.

In joining the CPRE Leicestershire team, you will:

• Use your skills and experience to make a positive difference to the countryside, environment, and local communities.
• Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
• Be invited to free training courses, workshops and the annual National Office conference and AGM.

What you will be doing

• Developing and implementing our strategic plans and policies to help us to deliver our mission.
• Managing CPRE Leicestershire’s approach to planning and related issues and developments across Leicester and Leicestershire.
• Organising  responses to strategic planning and local plan consultations and significant planning applications requiring CPRE Leicestershire input and contributing to their preparation and submission.
• Updating CPRE Leicestershire about emerging planning, environmental, climate, biodiversity and transport issues, changes in national policies and national CPRE debates, policies and campaigns.
• If required, represent CPRE Leicestershire at Planning Committees, Appeals, Public Inquiries or Examinations and Public Meetings.
• Being a positive advocate for CPRE and encouraging others to support our work.
• Safeguarding the good reputation and values of our charity .

What is in it for you

• Use your skills and experience to contribute to the success of our charity and make a positive difference to the countryside.
• Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.
• We will support you to develop in your volunteering role and provide you with relevant training.
• We will give you a reference for your future work or volunteering.
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference.
• The opportunity to attend a volunteer induction day.

In common with all charities, our trustees have a duty to ensure that the charity complies with its constitution and with charity law.  This means ensuring the charity is addressing the purposes for which it is set up for the public benefit, and no other purpose.  Trustees will have an opportunity to play a part in setting the strategic direction of the charity and to work together to decide how to best enable all to contribute to achieving its purposes.  Trustees need to use sound judgment, to make balanced and informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term; to avoid any personal conflicts of interest; and to act with reasonable care and skill.

More information is available from The Charity Commission via their website.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for skills and experience in the following areas (please ensure your application cover these points):

• An understanding and experience of the planning system.
• Strong interest in the countryside and a commitment to CPRE policies, campaigns and initiatives.
• An understanding of, or interest in, the charity sector, including the legal duties and responsibilities of a trustee, (or willingness to learn).
• Some experience of working in a strategic way.
• An interest in investigative work, with an eye for detail.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Have access to a computer and the internet at home and be comfortable using them.
• Be able to commit to volunteering regularly to suit your availability including attendance at meetings.

• Some awareness of current environmental issues and a commitment to campaign for the protection of the countryside and the work of CPRE.
• Commitment to work within the values of CPRE: Open, Connected, Trusted and Inspirational.

This role is available provisionally for up to a three-year term, with a maximum of two three-year terms.