Licensing Policy Officer
Location: Brynsworthy, EX31 3NP
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 3+ Months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week
Pay Rate: £ 34.00 per hour
Job Ref: (phone number removed)
Responsibilities
The selected individual will manage the administration and enforcement of various statutory licensing functions to protect the public and the environment, with a specific focus on animal welfare. The role involves promoting and enforcing regulatory compliance across the Council’s licensing functions, including the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, hackney and private hire, and animal welfare.
Make officer determinations surrounding licences, registrations, etc., where delegated, ensuring high responsibility due to the impact on public safety and livelihoods.
Support the efficient delivery of licences, registrations, notices, and permits.
Regulate to achieve local economic growth by improving regulatory outcomes without imposing unnecessary burdens.
Implement important financial controls for the Licensing Authority, especially around reporting and fee collection.
Conduct proactive and reactive interventions, including advice, inspections, investigations, audits, and surveillance.
Manage a varied reactive workload of complaints from the public and stakeholders regarding licensing issues.
Effectively regulate within relevant legislation, case law, and Council Policy.
Attend court/tribunals for warrants, prosecutions, and appeals.
Support the processing, determination, and issuance of licences, permits, etc., within statutory deadlines.
Liaise and partner with responsible authorities and government agencies to ensure application accuracy and support enforcement interventions.
Administer hearings for applications and disciplinary cases, producing and presenting reports to Council committees.
Issue enforcement measures, such as written warnings and Suspension Notices.
Handle licensing enquiries and act as a point of contact for Customer Services.
Access and update customer and back-office information systems, including M3 and Lalpac.
Deliver administrative functions, such as note-taking at meetings and gathering data for FOI requests.
Undertake initiatives to promote regulatory compliance and the Council's licensing service.
Support staff training and peer reviews.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Council for consistent enforcement interventions and joint projects.
Represent the Council in liaison and multidisciplinary working groups.
Deliver technical advice to stakeholders on licensing matters.
Develop changes in procedures, systems, and operational strategies to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of experience and possess the following qualifications and skills:
Up-to-date knowledge of relevant licensing legislation and guidance.
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths.
BIIAB Level 2 Award for Licensing Practitioners or equivalent qualification/experience.
Level 3 certificate in animal activities licensing, covering licensing conditions and practical elements.
Membership in the Institute of Licensing or a relevant institution is desirable.
Competence in core regulatory skills, including risk assessment, planning, compliance promotion, and professional judgment.
Technical and legal knowledge across licensing functions, including the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005.
Comprehensive understanding of PACE and its application in Local Government.
Competence in IT applications for licence administration and document preparation.
Excellent communication skills and ability to handle conflict professionally.
Ability to work independently, in teams, and support colleagues.
Knowledge of report preparation and presentation.
Experience in the regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and caravan site licensing is desirable.
Understanding of equality and diversity issues to support fair access to services.
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