Licensing Enforcement Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Licensing Enforcement Officer

We have an urgent requirement for an experienced Licensing Enforcement Officer for our north London public sector local authority client.

Must have experience of Licensing Act & Gambling Act; visits but dealing with applications & making representations to licensing committee is a massive part of this role.

Desirable experience with London Local Authorities Act (massage & special treatment) &, if possible, Animal Welfare.

Job Purpose

To ensure business compliance with the Licensing Act 2003, Health Act 2006, Gambling Act 2005, London Local Authorities Act 1991 and the Highways Act 1980, through enforcement action and advice, working in partnership with the Police, Fire Brigade and other enforcement agencies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To act as an authorised officer and to undertake inspections, to plan and carry out enforcement visits and projects, and investigations to enforce the Licensing Act and other related legislation, including tables and chairs licensing and massage and special treatment licensing to ensure legal compliance.

2. To respond to and investigate complaints made about licensed and unlicensed premises and activities, with liaison with other authorities as appropriate, to ensure that compliant, licensed businesses are operating in the borough.

3. To take appropriate enforcement action in line with enforcement policy for the above activities which will include written and oral statements under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act; to prepare reports with recommendations for submission to the Operations Manager, detailing and compiling cases for prosecution; to appear in court as necessary to give evidence in connection with those proceedings which may impact upon the operation of the business and its activities. For panel hearings officers will provide witness statements used to review a licence which may determine whether a licence should be removed or allowed to continue with additional conditions. The work to be carried out to achieve a successful outcome in court or at the panel hearings.

4. To provide guidance and advice to businesses as appropriate, in line with the enforcement policy, to increase their understanding of compliance with the relevant legislation.

5. To ensure that all manual & electronic data systems are maintained & updated on a timely basis and to be fully conversant with the systems used within the service team in order that team statistics are accurate and up-to-date.

6. To maintain knowledge of the latest legislation and procedures relating to enforcement, including PACE 1984, CPIA 1996, and RIPA 2000, and other specialised legislation relating to Licensing Enforcement, such as the Licensing Act 2003. To assist with staff training and to undergo any appropriate personal training and/or refresher courses so as to have an up to date knowledge of the work area.

7. To attend meetings and liaise with other Council officers and Departments, Police, Fire Brigade and other external agencies, Government Departments etc. to ensure the team is using its resources effectively and supporting partnership working with these groups.

8. To attend committee and other internal meetings as required as well as public meetings to ensure good customer service, and liaise directly with Members about licensing matters . To assist in the formulation and development of Council policy by carrying out observational research, liaising with specialist consultants and the writing of reports for the Licensing committee as required making the best use of specialist knowledge within the team.

Work Environment

1. This role demands a large amount of flexibility. There will be deadlines and conflicting priorities to manage in delivering a responsive, high profile service. The post holder will need to meet the demands of their own cases as well as address the demands of the rota visits.

2. The position is part office based, with hot desking in a modern office environment. The post holder will be frequently required to undertake site visits in some cases alone but at night this will be carried out with another officer.

3. Being in an enforcement role can result in confrontational situations. All staff are properly trained and equipped to deal with these situations as far as possible.

Work Dimensions

1. The Licensing Enforcement Officer post is situated within the Health, Safety and Licensing Team and deals with the enforcement of various licensing legislation.

2. The postholder will be highly self motivated and will be expected to work independently with minimal supervision, finding solutions to often complex problems, and will be required to deliver a high quality and responsive service.

3. The work will involve daily interaction with a variety of customers and stakeholders, including Elected Members, neighbouring boroughs, large commercial organisations and residents’ associations. The postholder is required to have good interpersonal skills, be competent in written and oral communications and have clear customer focus.

4. The postholder will be required to frequently liaise with other teams across the Council and will need to demonstrate a partnership approach with working with external agencies such as the Police and London Fire Brigade. This will involve joint inspections, meetings and night-time compliance inspections.

5. The postholder will be responsible for handling their cases, deciding on their progress and then dealing with them in the appropriate way. Decisions will be necessary with respect to the appropriate enforcement action to take and the correct procedures to follow to ensure that successful legal action that is taken which could close down premises or curtail the activities carried out there. The postholder will make their own decisions, and prepare the legal case, although the Legal Department will have the final say in prosecuting.

6. The postholder will be responsible for equipment provided with the post eg mobile phone for daily use; blackberry and vehicle for evening work which can be alternate weekends.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

•           Have a basic knowledge / understanding of the legislative framework relevant to the team and its application to casework in order to enable effective investigation of complaints and other enquiries.

•           Prepare and write clear reports, and other documentation relevant to legislation and the drafting of notices

•           Effectively monitor the progress of works/actions required by informal/formal action

•           Report and recommend prosecution for failure to comply with requirements of legislation statutory notices and undertakings, and attend court, prepare and give evidence as required; and participate in PACE interviews.

•           Proven ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with people at all levels

•           Ability to use IT including word processing, presentation packages and databases.

Desirable: Ability to use Flare

Desirable: Certificate of Higher Education in Licensing Law