Undertake investigation and enforcement of complex breaches of planning legislation and regulations to ensure the effective service delivery of the Council’s enforcement functions under Planning Legislation in accordance with the Planning Enforcement Policy.

To compile a list of empty homes on Acolaid, or replacement operating system. To liaise regularly with the Local Taxation Team to identify empty homes. To liaise with owners of empty homes to bring them back into use.

To compile a list on Acolaid, or replacement operating system, of buildings which may cause a danger to public safety. To project manage such cases, including the various parties involved in the inspection and possible prosecution, to ensure that the necessary works are completed to make the building structural sound, as far as it affects public safety.

To improve derelict and run-down buildings or site through the ‘Grotbusters’ Scheme

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake the investigation of complaints, carrying out site visits and inspection, identifying appropriate action to be taken to ensure compliance with planning regulations in accordance with Enforcement policy targets. To update the register of planning enforcement activity.

• Prepare and serve enforcement notices and court summons and undertake interviews with complainants, developers and property owners in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, making recommendations for further legal action to the Planning Services Manager, Borough Planner and Legal services.

• Prepare casefiles for enforcement action acting as the Disclosure Officer categorising evidence, producing schedules and making recommendations to Legal Services for disclosure of information and evidence to ensure full compliance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act.
• Prepare and serve enforcement notices and court summons and undertake interviews with complaints, developers and property owners in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, making recommendations for further legal action to the Planning Services Manager and Legal services.

• Undertake enforcement action targeting run down and derelict buildings under the Town and country Planning Act 1990 and other legislation in order to improve the character and appearance of the town.

• To compile a list of empty homes on Acolaid, or replacement operating system. To liaise regularly with the Local Taxation Team to identify empty homes. To liaise with owners of empty homes to bring them back into use. To meet the Council’s targets for bring empty homes back into use. To update the Council’s Empty Homes Strategy on an annual basis including identifying properties to target under the scheme

• Update the register of planning enforcement activity in order to monitor progress against objectives and targets set out in the Planning Enforcement Policy.

• To compile a list on Acolaid, or replacement operating system, of buildings which may cause a danger to public safety. To project manage such cases, including the various parties involved in the inspection and possible prosecution, to ensure that the necessary works are completed to make the building structural sound, as far as it affects public safety.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of development management, changes in planning legislation and regulations and enforcement case law to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. In addition to develop and maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of legislation, regulations and case law regarding empty homes, compulsory purchase and buildings that could danger to the public.

• Provide advice and guidance to officers and Councillors on legislation and regulations relevant to the role including the enforcement of planning or other and general enforcement action to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and procedures.

• Prepare and submit appeal statements regarding enforcement appeals Take the lead as case officer and expert witness at public inquiries, court cases and appeals made to the Planning Inspectorate in regard to Enforcement Notice Appeals.

Standard Result Areas

• Participate in an annual performance appraisal based on agreed objectives that are linked to the Council’s corporate objectives and priorities.

• Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the Council’s Equalities and Diversity policies and procedures.

• To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with work role for health and safety in the workplace.

• Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the Council’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection policies and procedures.

• All employees may be called upon to assist with a range of elections duties for the Council on an occasional basis when elections are called. Participation in elections duties is subject to the terms and conditions as determined from time to time by the Returning Officer or Central Government.

• Undertake such other duties and tasks appropriate to the grade and character of work such as changes in information systems and new technology as may reasonably be required. Therefore, the above list of key result areas in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

The Council may, at any time and if relevant to the post, require an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check to be carried out.  An enhanced check details Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands and Warnings held in England and Wales on the Police National Computer (and most of the relevant convictions in Scotland and Northern Ireland may also be included). In addition it includes a check of the new barred lists and any locally held police force non conviction information considered relevant to the job role, by the relevant Chief Police Officer(s).

The key result areas to this post are set out in this job description. It should be noted that the Council reserves the right to update the job description from time to time to reflect changes in or to the post after consultation about any proposed changes. Significant permanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require revisions to be made to this job description.