Enforcement Officer

Job Description and Person Specification
Job details

Purpose of the job (why the job exists)
To investigate alleged breaches of planning control in accordance with the adopted policies and procedures of the Council.
Principal responsibilities (please make these concise and ideally no more than 8)

1. Planning, organising and carrying out the investigation of alleged breaches of planning control by way of paper, computer and on site investigations and monitoring in accordance with the Councils adopted policies and procedures.

2. Preparing written reports to Committee or the Head of Planning Services / Planning Development Manager as appropriate with recommendations on cases and performance. Providing procedural guidance as necessary. Attendance at Committee when required.

3. Resolving as many cases as possible through negotiation. Implementing decisions to take enforcement action or to prosecute under the Planning Acts by preparing and serving the appropriate Notices in association with the Council’s legal section.

4. To advise both complainants and persons being complained about as to the progress of investigations and actions to be taken, in accordance with adopted performance targets.

5. Monitoring of premises where the breach occurring is outside normal office hours e.g. restaurants and takeaways.

6. Carrying out pro active monitoring to ensure that conditions attached to planning permissions have been complied with and taking action as appropriate.

7. Dealing with appeals against enforcement notices, including appearance at hearings and public inquiries when required. Appearing in Court in support of the prosecution of cases.

8. Maintaining accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date records (primarily of cases and complaints), in electronic or paper form, of all of the activities of the enforcement team, including time, travel and financial information. Maintenance of the Enforcement Register.

9. Giving advice to Members, complainants, the public and other staff in the department on particular or general enforcement issues. Liaison with other departments and other organisations in pursuance of the aims and objectives of the local planning authority with respect to planning enforcement.

10. Preparing publicity material on enforcement procedures and performance, and on cases, which end up in Court in association with the Council’s Communications Manager.

11. Regularly review policies and procedures in conjunction with the Planning Development Manager.

12. Carry out any other duties relevant to the work of the Planning Services section that may be required from time to time by the Planning Development Manager and / or the Head of Planning Services.

13. Requirement for working evenings and weekends as appropriate.

14. To implement the policies and procedures of the Council with regard to the enforcement of planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act and associated legislation.

15. Under the direction of the Planning Development Manager / Principal Enforcement Officer to ensure that appropriate and timely action is taken as and when necessary, in the interests of the effective operation of the service.

16. To assist when necessary in the related work of the Development Management Section.
General responsibilities applicable to all jobs

1. Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.
2. Comply with the Council’s policies and procedures including (but not limited to) safeguarding, financial regulations, promotion of equalities, customer care, agreed audit actions and health and safety (ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons).
3. Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder