Job Description

The licensing team is responsible for the administration, compliance and enforcement of a diverse range of licensing services and the respective legislation, regulations and guidance.

There will be an expectation for out of hours working during the evenings and weekend as part of this role.

Job Description

• Carry out visits, inspections, advisory visits, and examinations of premises and/or vehicles, taking appropriate action as authorised by the Council in accordance with procedures laid down.
• To take specialist responsibility in at least one subject area to include hackney carriage and private hire licensing.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and provide information and advice to businesses, the public and other team members.
• Enforcement of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and other legislation pertaining to the licensing of hackney carriage and private hire driver, vehicles and operators.
• Enforcement of the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulations pertaining to the licensing of the sale/supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment.
• Enforcement of the Gambling Act 2005 and associated regulations pertaining to the licensing of premises used for gambling and for organisations registered as small society lotteries.
• Enforcement of legislation pertaining to animal welfare licensing for the licensing of animal boarding establishments, dog breeding establishments, pet shops, zoos, dangerous wild animals, horse riding establishments and exhibition of animals.
• Enforcement of legislation pertaining to sex establishments, street collections and house-to-house collections.
• Carry out other duties within the Department as and when required.
• The post holder will be responsible for carrying out compliance inspections and enforcement of all licensing activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and policy requirements.
• The post holder will undertake appropriate action where necessary, including both informal and formal legal proceedings.
• The post holder will be required to undertake the associated administrative duties relating to the role.

Responsibilities

• To undertake detailed investigations and audits of premises within the City to ensure compliance with relevant licensing legislation.
• Where appropriate, determine applications for vehicle licences in accordance with Hackney Carriage & Private Hire licensing conditions.
• To carry out detailed investigations into licensing complaints and referrals and other licensing matters and related incidents including emergencies arising within the City.
• To analyse and evaluate the results of investigations and inspections and to identify, recommend and instigate appropriate action. Prepare reports, letters, notices etc; maintain records of work undertaken.
• To provide advice including legislative interpretation in areas of licensing enforcement.
• Undertake or assist in special projects that may arise from time to time.
• Design and implement campaigns/initiatives to raise public awareness of licensing related issues e.g. production of Licensing newsletter, coordinating operations with partner agencies regarding the use of unlicensed vehicles (e.g. Police and VOSA) as necessary.
• Give advice to licence holders, members of the public and businesses on licensing matters.
• Responsibility for ensuring that any information collected, recorded, analysed or reported whilst undertaking the duties of this post is reliable, accurate, timely and in accordance with the principles of the Council's data quality policy.
• Represent the City Council on outside bodies as and when required.
• To carry out duties out of normal working hours from time to time as necessary and assist in emergencies that may arise.
• Carry out other such duties as the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, or their representative may properly require from time to time.
• Prepare and present detailed reports to Panels of the Licensing and Appeals Board and Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required, under the direction of the Licensing Team Leader.
• Prepare prosecution files and attend and give evidence at Court and Panel/Sub-Committee hearings as required.
• Carry out research into changes in licensing law and consult on changes to licensing policy and licensing conditions with stakeholders as appropriate.
• Gather evidence in accordance with PACE and RIPA, prepare statements and where formal prosecution proceedings are required draft witness statements and produce prosecution files.