Job Description

Job Category: Environment
:
Senior Monitoring and Control Officer | 8680 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | 43,822 to 48,227 per annum (Scale K) | County Hall, Norwich
The Senior Monitoring and Control Officer is responsible for the enforcement of planning control for the County of Norfolk for both minerals and waste planning applications and non-compliant development and the County Council's own infrastructure development programme of work. This specialist planning role develops and continuously needs to review enforcement procedures and protocols to ensure consistency of approach and compliance with legislation, Government guidance and any best practice, all of which is constantly evolving and developing.
The role is responsible for ongoing surveying and monitoring of operational sites which have been granted planning permission, to ensure planning control breaches do not occur, and for collating intelligence and evidence in cases for unauthorised development and activity where suspected breaches occur in order to secure compliance with the required planning control.
Role responsibilities include:

• Responsible for investigating breaches of planning control in accordance with the Councils agreed targets and timescales to enable appropriate courses of action to be determined and implemented to resolve issues, either by negotiation and/or by initiating formal enforcement action, in accordance with the Council's Enforcement Protocols.
• Responsible for collecting evidence and intelligence (including out of hours monitoring/surveillance) in accordance with the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act; Proceeds of Crime Act and conducting formal interviews and taking photographs in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in order to secure compliance with the planning permission granted any planning conditions attached to the permission.
• Responsible for surveying and monitoring all operational sites to advise and guide operators to ensure breaches of planning control do not arise, liaising with statutory bodies and other enforcement agencies, notably Environment Agency, to ensure consistency of approach.
• Act as the main contact point for public liaison to ensure high quality public relations and customer contact with regards to enforcement issues.
• Act as the lead in implementing, prioritising and co-ordinating the monitoring function in respect of waste management sites to, as required by the Council's Enforcement Protocols to help ensure breaches of planning control do not arise.
• To prepare reports for the Planning (Regulation) Committee and proofs of evidence (written and photographic) to enable audit trails to be followed for cases under investigation: to draft legal notices for senior officers and members and to provide evidence at public inquiries and in court to attempt to bring enforcement cases to a suitable outcome.
• Responsible for providing advice, reports and recommendations for the Head of Planning Officer and senior officers and members and presenting items and providing training sessions for council committees on enforcement issues and cases in order to ensure that those taking decisions are equipped to do so.
• To keep up to date and be responsible for implementing the council's own enforcement policies and procedures.
• To be the main point of contact for, and to liaise with the to ensure good public relations and customer contact on enforcement issues.
• To undertake out of hours monitoring/surveillance as required.

You will be required to be mobile throughout an operational area (or throughout Norfolk or similar where more appropriate) and therefore a valid driving licence and use of car are required, unless the role can be undertaken effectively by alternative transport arrangements.
About you

• Hold a recognised qualification in Town Planning (or a related subject) at HND, HNC, NVQ Level 4; OR a Degree or Diploma in Town Planning OR alternatively, have an equivalent combination of knowledge and several years' experience of planning or law enforcement.
• Demonstrable very good up to date knowledge of relevant Planning legislation.
• Understanding of Local Government procedures and protocols including Enforcement procedures.
• Proven experience of using influencing and negotiating skills when working directly with the public and operators/developers in both routine and challenging circumstances.
• Proven experience of giving evidence in formal situations e.g. as a witness in Court proceedings.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to deal with challenging situations and use effective influencing skills.

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working - dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:

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for Fire Service and Social Care Workers * Relocation expenses (where applicable)

• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants' pensions
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
Interviews to be held w/c 29 September 2025.
Redeployment closing date: 10 September 2025 23:59
All other applicants closing date: 19 September 2025 23:59
About Us: We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.
We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.
We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.
We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

Skills Required