Enforcement Officer

Work Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 2BS

Job Title: Enforcement Officer

Duration: Contract (2-3 months with a high chance of extension)

Experience:

• A degree/diploma or equivalent relevant experience in Town Planning or current attendance in a course leading to a degree/diploma in Town Planning.
• Evidence of allied skills (e.g. urban design, DC policy work, local planning, collection and preparation of evidence to be used in Court)

• A background in Town & Country Planning or work in an area requiring the interpretation and implementation of legislation
• Considerable knowledge of the planning process and/or experience of enforcement of planning control.
• Significant experience of dealing directly in person with members of the public
• Experience of writing / preparing appeal statements
• Experience of obtaining, preparing and giving evidence in criminal court proceedings.
• Working knowledge of PACE, RIPA, CPI Acts and Human Rights legislation
• Use of evaluation and monitoring systems
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and in solo situations when on site

Other:

• A full driving licence
• Ability to climb scaffolding.
• Provision of a reliable car for use on Council business, which must be insured for such purposes.
• Occasional out of hours work

Responsibility:

• Assist and direct the statutory powers of enforcement and planning control, including the investigating of complaints, the monitoring of development and liaison with other Regulatory bodies.
• Advising complainant and persons responsible for breach of control of actions to be pursued/necessary in relation to any unauthorised development.
• The collection of evidence, the preparation of statements and the presentation of the Council’s case in respect of prosecutions in the Magistrates or Crown Court.
• Giving expert advice on the enforcement of planning control, including whether there has been a breach of control, the appropriate remedial action and the most expedient action in the event of non compliance with legal notices etc.
• The monitoring of sites to ensure that development is proceeding in accordance with conditions attached to a planning permission and/or listed building consent, in liaison with the development control and field control teams. The taking of the most appropriate remedy and expedient action to put right any breach of condition/unauthorised development.
• To prepare the documentation and plans required to obtain the authority to take formal action when necessary
• To serve notices and summonses and to hand deliver any other documentation
• To be responsible for the correct implementation of the requirements of the PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) including giving formal cautions; Criminal Investigations and Procedures Act; RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) and Human Rights legislation, in order to protect the Council from litigation or the costs of abortive legal actions brought about by non-adherence.
• Dealing with appeals against planning decisions, including the preparation of the Council’s case and the presenting of evidence at Public Inquiries and hearings, where appropriate.
• Assessing and processing of planning applications and applications for consent to display advertisements and demolish/alter Listed Buildings/Trees etc including: the carrying out of all necessary consultations and negotiations; the preparation of recommendations and reports; and attendance at Committee or Area Committee meetings as required.
• Review new legislation and consultation papers on enforcement and contribute to the preparation and review of DC policy and Supplementary Guidance.
• To use all resources (both time and financial) allocated to specific projects and areas of work effectively and efficiently in accordance with service objectives and the team’s work programme.
• To monitor, review and ensure a balanced and cost effective discharge of the Service’s functions by organising and continuously developing working practices.