At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage FOI requests and planning service complaints while providing financial support.
- Company: Local authority in South London with a focus on community service.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate of £22.14 PAYE and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with potential for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in local governance and enhance your administrative skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in handling FOI requests and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 48000 £ per year.
Our local authority client based in South London are urgently seeking an experienced Freedom of Information Officer. £22.14 an hour PAYE.
Main Purpose of the job
- To work flexibly across the planning service to provide in-depth technical and administrative support, with a primary focus on:
- Handling, monitoring and coordinating planning service complaints (including logging, tracking, performance reporting and quality assurance of responses)
- Coordinating and responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) and related information requests (including collation, redaction support and deadline management)
- Finance support including income monitoring, cost recovery, debt chasing and reconciliations; producing management information and reports
- Maintaining accurate records across relevant planning systems to support effective casework, complaints and information governance processes
Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties
- To manage the end-to-end administration of planning service complaints, including logging/acknowledgement, tracking deadlines, coordinating input from service areas, quality-checking draft responses and ensuring replies are issued within required timescales.
- To coordinate and respond to FOI, EIR and related information requests for the Planning Service, including liaising with officers to gather information, maintaining a clear audit trail, supporting redaction where required, and monitoring performance against statutory deadlines.
- To support financial administration for the Planning Service, including income monitoring, cost recovery, raising purchase orders, receipting invoices, chasing debt where appropriate, and producing regular reconciliations and management information.
- To undertake redaction of complex and sensitive documents to support complaints handling and information requests, ensuring personal data and legally privileged information is removed in line with GDPR, relevant exemptions and Council policies prior to disclosure.
- To provide flexible technical support to the wider Planning Service (including validation and consultation on complex planning and related applications where necessary) to help maintain service standards and performance targets.
- To proactively monitor and report on service performance for complaints, FOI/EIR and key customer enquiries, including maintaining trackers, producing regular management reports and identifying trends and improvement actions.
Freedom of Information Officer in London employer: 4Recruitment Services
4Recruitment Services is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and teamwork in the Buckinghamshire area. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring career growth while working in a vital role that contributes to community well-being. With provided uniforms and PPE, the company fosters a professional environment where every team member is valued and empowered to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Freedom of Information Officer in London
Freedom of Information (FOI) Management
Administrative Support
Complaint Handling
Performance Reporting
Quality Assurance
Information Governance
Record Keeping
