Senior Enforcement Officer

The post holder will establish and maintain effective working relationships with Directors, Assistant Directors, Portfolio Holders, Elected Members, and national, regional, and local stakeholders, as well as a full range of clients from members of the public to development agents and investors.

Key duties and responsibilities:

1. To undertake investigations of alleged breaches of planning control including out-of- hours inspections, surveys, surveillance, or investigations, researching site histories, and undertaking site inspections, together with the accurate recording of all relevant information on the planning enforcement system
2. To deal with all forms of correspondence and enquiries from the public, other Council Services, business groups, Councillors, Members of Parliament and other organisations relating to the enforcement of planning controls.
3. To enter into negotiations and or correspondence with transgressors, complainants and other interested parties in an effort to resolve breaches of planning control in line with the Council’s enforcement policy and good practice.
4. To prepare all necessary reports and recommendations for consideration by the Development Services Manager or other authorised officer in respect of enforcement action.
5. To be responsible for the drafting of enforcement notices and other notices and other documentation arising from breaches of planning control.
6. To assist, where appropriate, planning officers with all types of enforcement appeals including the preparation of appeal statements, proofs of evidence and the giving of evidence at Public Inquires, Hearings and Court proceedings.
7. To undertake formal interviews in accordance with the rules of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
8. To actively contribute to the delivery of service improvements to ensure the effective service delivery of the planning enforcement function.
9. To maintain professional competence by assimilating knowledge of new legislation and guidance relating to the enforcement of planning controls and other planning matters.
10. To undertake all the duties in accordance with the articles and protocols of the Human Rights Act 1998, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and within the framework of Equal Opportunities.
11. To liaise with colleagues in the Development Management and Planning Policy & Regeneration Strategy Teams; and additionally, those in other service areas including external agencies and partner organisations with enforcement
    functions to enable a corporate approach to regulatory control.

The candidates must have:
• Extensive experience of planning enforcement work within a council or private sector role including more complex enforcement cases, appeals and prosecutions.

• Proven ability to understand Planning Law and National Planning policies/guidance relating to Planning Enforcement
• Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to manage conflict.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Ability to interpret plans and understand related information.
• Ability to prepare clear written reports, statements, and correspondence.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Decisive, self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

• Excellent communication, report writing, and customer service skills, as well as the necessary motivation to deliver high performance.
• Professional qualification related to the built environment or planning.
• Demonstration of knowledge of the planning system and enforcement
• In depth understanding of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedure and Investigation (CPIA) Act, The Human Rights Act, and General Data Protection Regulations.
• Flexible approach to work by responding to the needs of the services including, at times, requirements to work beyond normal working hours.
• Commitment to own continuous personal and professional development.
• Strong team player, committed to an ethos of continuous improvement.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and the ability to recognise the needs of different service users.
• Commitment to provide a customer- focussed service.