Planning Enforcement Officer (PO2) in Wormley

Purpose of Job

1.1 To investigate and resolve difficult, high profile and significant breaches of legislation, affecting the borough by operating across traditional boundaries and using the best powers available from available discipline.

1.2 The post holder will be one of 11 officers, working within a geographical area, on a project basis or as part of a multi‑agency enforcement task force, in particular those involving other Council Services, Police and other regulatory bodies.

1.3 Within their own assigned area or project, the post holder will investigate breaches of planning and environmental law to meet the Council's corporate aim for fairness for all, growth and sustainability and strong Communities.

We are committed to tackling the Inequalities present in the Borough.

1.4 To assist the management deliver the aims and objectives of the Pollution Control, Planning and Licensing Enforcement Action Plan through flexible and effective enforcement, tactics and operations.

1.5 To provide a specific point of contact for residents and businesses of their geographical area and to co‑coordinate and resolve complaints and issues raised.

1.6 To carry out and give leadership advice on planning enforcement appeals.

• Organisation Chart
• Team Leader Pollution Control Planning & Licensing Enforcement
• Principal Officer Pollution Control
• Principal Officer Planning Enforcement
• Principal Offer Principal Officer Licensing
• Supervisory Responsibility

When allocated an operational or project leadership role, the officer will be responsible for supervising technical Support Officers and enforcement staff from other agencies when assigned for these specific duties.

Duties

• 4.1 To achieve the objectives in the Purpose of the Post for the delivery of the Regulatory Service Plan.
• 4.2 To carry a personal case load of high priority enforcement cases and to initiate or facilitate actions to ensure that the Council's objectives and aims are delivered in respect of planning and licensing enforcement.
• 4.3 To carry out the duties required for this post, maintaining agreed Council and Service standards of customer care and confidentiality.
• 4.4 To take the lead role on cases within the appeal process.
• 4.5 Planning Enforcement.
• 4.5.1 Carry out investigations into planning complaints and enquiries in accordance with the priorities set by the Council's Planning Committee and make recommendations on appropriate further action.
• 4.5.2 Negotiations with land owners, occupiers and their agents to attempt to resolve breaches of legislation, either by compliance with statutory requirements, by the submission of planning applications or informally.
• 4.5.3 Monitoring compliance with abatement notices, stop notices, enforcement notices, breach of condition notices, section 215 notices and producing witness statements for the service of summonses.
• 4.5.4 Undertake enforcement action for breaches of advertisements and fly posters under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and monitor the compliance of notices served requiring appropriate clearing action by the advertiser.
• 4.5.5 To work with and assist the Proceeds of Crime Officer to identify and prosecute offenders identified.
• 4.6 Investigation and Enforcement Duties
• 4.6.1 To prepare and collate supporting evidence and statements for legal proceedings, and to attend court as a witness on behalf of the Council.
• 4.6.2 To ensure all investigation, surveillance, the interviewing of suspects under caution and other operational activity is carried out lawfully and in accord with appropriate codes of practice, in particular the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
• 4.6.3 To record all evidence and carry out all operational activity in accordance with Service Procedures.
• 4.6.4 To liaise with and provide additional evidence and/or information at the request of the Unit Lawyer.
• 4.7 Other Duties
• 4.7.1 To regularly patrol the allocated Area to identify breaches of legislation and defects in the street environment requiring action and reporting these to the appropriate service manager.
• 4.7.2 To meet members of the public and organised groups and to participate in walkabouts with them as necessary in order to view and inspect complaints and problems, which may include situations where there is a risk of challenge or abuse by members of the public and other community representatives.
• 4.7.3 To prepare replies to complaints, enquiries and letters from the public, members, MP's and other agencies.
• 4.7.4 To comply with the Council's Financial Regulations, Standing Orders and Codes of Conduct and to ensure that all Service, Departmental and Council procedure are complied with.
• 4.7.5 To use new technology as required in the execution of the duties of the post holder, in particular the Planning Enforcement database (APAS), the Street Scene Enforcement database (MVM).
• 4.7.6 To keep abreast of all relevant legislation and technical developments relating to the contractual, technical and operational aspects of the planning.
• 4.7.7 To attend meetings (including evenings) of residents and special interest groups within the area and to participate in walkabouts with such groups when required.
• 4.7.8 To take appropriate actions and responses to promote public reassurance and improve the environment in appropriate areas.
• 4.7.9 To actively participate in Area Forums and lead on resolving complaints and issues raised affecting the Environment.
• 4.7.10 To be prepared to (a) work in different areas of the Borough, (b) work with and alongside different service teams and (c) work with and alongside other agencies e. g. the police, from time to time, in order to achieve effective services to the unit's customers.
• 4.7.11 To be fully aware of the responsibilities imposed under the Data Protection Act 1998 for the security, accuracy and relevance of personal data held on systems and adhere to Internet and Email Usage Policies.
• 4.7.12 To undertake any other related duties commensurate with the grade and status of the post as may be required from time to time by the Head of Environmental Crime Unit.
• 4.7.13 To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grade and status of the post as may be required from time to time by the Head of Service or other Unit manager.
• 5. CONTACTS
• 5.1 Contact with the following, giving high level professional advice on complex problems or negotiation issues: Internal: Members, Committees and Senior Officers of other Services.
• External: MP's, Directors and Senior Managers of Businesses, voluntary bodies, Solicitors and legal representatives.
• Other contacts, giving technical and service advice, negotiating and resolving contentious issues.
• Other authorities, Statutory and Government agencies, Residents and businesses.
• Equal Opportunities

The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in its service to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work.

Health and Safety

The postholder shall ensure that the duties of the post are undertaken with due regard to the Council's Health and Safety Policy and to their personal responsibilities under the provisions of the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of undertaking criminal investigations, including identification of offences, gathering and recording evidence, interviewing suspects and preparing infringement reports.
• Experience and knowledge of dealing with appeals and the process involved.
• The ability to research, collate and write reports and surveys, and the ability to deal with sensitive clients and situations.
• An understanding of the importance of Quality Standards in service delivery.
• Manage a personal caseload of planning enforcement cases, including complex and sensitive matters.
• Carry out site inspections, gather evidence and exercise professional judgement on expediency and proportionality.
• Prepare enforcement reports, notices and appeal documentation.
• Support formal enforcement action, including appeals, hearings or inquiries.
• Provide senior professional advice and support to other Planning Enforcement Officers on complex cases.
• Maintain accurate case records using the Council's case management systems.
• Relevant Qualifications

Planning qualification or similar field and/or experience appropriate to the post (planning enforcement, appeals or related areas, planning development and policy).

Additional Details

We are seeking a highly experienced Planning Enforcement Officer to provide short term support to the Planning Enforcement Team, with an immediate focus on progressing and resolving planning enforcement cases.

This role is intended for a senior level, experienced planning enforcement practitioner, with substantial hands on experience of managing complex enforcement cases.

Due to outstanding site visits and the volume of live cases, the role will be undertaken on a hybrid basis, with an expectation of a minimum of two days per week office and/or site based.

There may be occasions where additional attendance is required to deal with urgent priority site visits.

• Required Experience
• Significant experience in planning enforcement, with the ability to manage cases independently from start to finish.
• Strong working knowledge of planning legislation, permitted development and enforcement procedures.
• Experience dealing with complex enforcement cases and preparing formal enforcement documentation.
• Confidence making and defending professional enforcement decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, time limited contractor role.

Applicants must be experienced officers with the ability to take on a caseload straight away and work independently to deliver outcomes.

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