Folkestone & Hythe District Council Job Description

Transcription

1 Folkestone & Hythe District Council Job Description JOB DETAILS Job Title Service Area / Team Reports to Post Number Grade & Annual Salary Politically Restricted Post DBS Requirement Planning Enforcement Officer Planning Development Management Team Leader PG019 TBC No JOB PURPOSE To provide a professional, efficient and effective planning enforcement service on behalf of the Council. To provide professional advice, information and guidance on all enforcement matters and to make recommendations on breaches of planning control to the Head of Planning, Development Management Manager and Development Management Team Leaders MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To investigate alleged breaches of planning control to decide whether a breach of planning control has taken place and if so whether the development is acceptable. To provide professional planning enforcement related advice to members of the public, including site owners and their agents; staff; and councillors. Where possible to seek to resolve problems relating to unauthorised development without taking formal action, by negotiating with members of the public, including land owners and their professional agents. To prepare reports for the Development Management Team Leader recommending the approach to be taking with regard to breaches of planning control. To prepare reports to the Planning and Licensing Committee recommending whether enforcement action should be taken Frequency (daily/weekly/ monthly/annually etc) /weekly Monthly as required

2 and in so doing providing detailed advice to members regarding planning law, planning policy and best practice To draft enforcement notices, stop notices, breach of condition As required notices and other statutory notices as may be necessary to remedy unacceptable breaches of planning control. To appear on behalf of the council as its professional planning As required witness at public inquiries and hearings. To undertake the collection of evidence in the form of site notes, site plans, photographs, statements, etc. To present evidence in Courts of Law. As required To provide advice relating to enforcement and planning matters to councillors and staff. /as required To remove unauthorised advertisements. As required To liaise with enforcement officers of other departments within the council in order to achieve the most effective enforcement /weekly as required action. To work to the Council s Planning Enforcement Protocol and the Council s Enforcement Policy CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES Adhere to the council s safeguarding policies and procedures and undertake relevant training in order to help protect children and vulnerable adults within the district. To comply with legislation, council policies and procedures including the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Information Security Policy, the Code of Conduct for Officers and to participate in any Emergency Planning activities as required. To actively demonstrate the values and behaviours of the council. To ensure our customers are valued by taking into account their views and needs in all that we do. To contribute to the development and achievement of relevant corporate and service objectives by suggesting ideas for service improvements. To communicate openly and honestly with colleagues, members and customers. To undergo any training necessary to be able to fulfil the requirements of the job. To carry out other duties commensurate with the grade, skills, experience and qualifications of the post holder as directed and as may be required from time to time.

3 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Responsibility for Staff (direct reports) Responsibility for Staff (indirect reports) Financial / Budgetary Accountability Overall Accountability/control ( value) 0 FTE 0 FTE Directly Managed ( value) Income Generation ( value) Responsibility for Physical Resources Vehicles / Equipment / Tools Information Systems Buildings / External Locations Maintenance Stocks / Supplies / Procurement Responsibility for Service Contracts Responsible for laptop and mobile phone. Responsible for personal protection equipment used for site visits Responsible for accurately updating Uniform and Civica and maintaining information security The key decision making areas in the role Recommendations to the Development Management Team Leader, Development Management Manager and Head of Planning on whether or not planning permission is required. Recommendations to the Development Management Team Leader, Development Management Manager and Head of Planning, on whether or not to take formal action. Recommendations to the Development Management Team Leader, Development Management Manager and Head of Planning on the appropriate formal action to take. Advising customers, councillors, staff etc in relation to enforcement investigations and outcomes The wider context of the role Approximately 250 alleged breaches of planning control a year dealt with by The Planning Enforcement Officer reporting to a Development Management Team Leader. The service plan target for dealing with breaches of planning control requires the complainant to be notified of how the council intends to deal with the breach within 20 working days in at least 80% of cases.

4 The post holder has to work in the context of national legislation, national and local planning policy and the Council s Enforcement Policy and Planning Enforcement Protocol. The post holder is expected to assist the Development Management Team Leader in dealing with Freedom of Information requests relating to enforcement. The post holder is expected to assist the relevant manager in dealing with Stage 1 and 2 corporate complaints relating to enforcement. There may be occasions where the post holder will be required to deal with planning applications resulting from an enforcement investigation. NATURE OF CONTACTS Internal External Employees Managers Corporate Management Team Members Legal Officers Business Support Team Staff from other departments Residents/ General Public/ Applicants Parish Councils Other local authorities Professional agents who have expert knowledge in their field Other agents Planning professionals/ other professionals e.g. Surveyors, Architects Builders Action groups Statutory and non statutory consultees Legal representatives including barristers Planning Inspectors Progression in Role Starting the required related knowledge / skills / qualifications and experience required at selection Educated to degree level in planning or a related subject. A professionally recognised planning qualification or planning related qualification which allows eligibility for corporate membership of the RTPI Two years experience in development management Report writing skills Good verbal communication skills

5 Experience with office systems such as Word, Excel & Outlook Induction what initial induction / training is required to become proficient in this role? During the first few weeks of employment the post holder will be expected to follow the basic corporate induction framework, attend the next available formal corporate induction session and complete any departmental induction requirements. In addition, the post holder will need to read and understand the Council s local plans and be aware of the local planning policies; learn how to be confident and proficient in using Atlas to identify planning constraints and gain a knowledge of the District (required to carry out site visits).the post holder will also need to learn how to use Civica and Uniform as these will be used daily. They will need to learn how to research planning law, case law and appeal decisions should they not have done this before. The post holder will need to become aware of the relevant staff in other departments and understand what areas of work other departments cover and the relationship between different forms of legislation Proficient how would this be displayed in the role? Have chartered membership of the RTPI The post holder will be able to confidently make appropriate and accurate recommendations on what if any action to take and, if no action is proposed, the reasons why. They will write reports with minimal or no assistance and fully manage their workload alone. They should be able to make recommendations on cases such as householder developments without needing assistance from their line manager They will be proficient in using all of the systems required to use daily including Civica, Atlas and Uniform Be proficient and self sufficient in researching and applying relevant case law, planning law, appeal decisions and local and national planning policy. Being able to simply yet accurately convey complex information to the public They will be capable of undertaking interviews under caution They will be capable of representing the council in court and at planning hearings and public inquiries Advanced what additional characteristics will be displayed? Mentoring experienced Planners and trainees on enforcement. and assisting them in their development Be proficient in dealing with cases involving complex planning law issues with minimal supervision from line manager. Actively highlighting and putting forward ideas for improvements within the team/department and assisting in the implementation of these Achieving corporate membership of the RTPI Working on cross council enforcement issues Training other officers in enforcement matters Reviewing and writing guidance and procedures for enforcement matters

6 Folkestone & Hythe District Council Person Specification Post Title: Planning Enforcement Officer Important Information for Applicants: The criteria listed in this person specification are the requirements for the post. Where the method of assessment is stated to be the application form, your application needs to demonstrate clearly and concisely how you meet each of the criteria, even if other methods of assessment are also shown. If you do not address these criteria fully, you may not be shortlisted. Please give specific examples wherever possible. Factors Criteria Essential Educated to degree level in planning or a related subject Means of Assessment Application Interview Test Qualifications A professionally recognised planning qualification or planning related qualification which allows eligibility for corporate membership of the RTPI Experience and Knowledge Desirable Chartered membership of the RTPI, or licentiate membership and be eligible for corporate membership within the next 6 months Essential Two years experience in development management Experience with office systems such as Word, Excel & Outlook General IT skills Desirable Previous experience in planning enforcement Previous experience in planning hearings and inquiries Previous development management experience in local government Previous use of map based applications

7 Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to work as part of a team Ability to operate on own initiative with minimal supervision Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to write reports High level of attention to detail and accuracy Competent user of IT, particularly Microsoft Office Proactive and committed to continued service and personal development Ability to adapt and proactively organise and prioritise work effectively in order to meet deadlines and maintain high standards at all times. Ability to demonstrate a professional and customer orientated approach Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to operate and build excellent working relationships at all levels Good negotiation skills