Osborne Richardson

Senior DM Planner required to lead a mixed caseload of householder and non-householder planning applications as well as some mid / major applications of a less complex nature. You will be working as part of a relatively small team and you will be expected to work under minimal supervision. 

You will provide technical advice to a range of stakeholders and you will produce detailed report documents which clearly explain complex planning principles. On occasion you will conduct site visits to assist with your determinations.

We are looking for an established Local Authority DM Planner. You will need an excellent working knowledge of the UK planning system and you will have gained experience across a range of planning applications. 

Good communication skills are essential and you must be comfortable representing the Council to the public and external third parties.

The initial contract will be 3-6 months and pay £45/hr (umbrella).

Our client is a Local Authority in Hertfordshire. Some office attendance is expected so you must be happy to undertake this as required.


Senior Planning Officer - £45/hr

Our client is a Local Authority based in Northants. They need to hire a Principal DM Officer on a contract basis for at least 3 months but they expect it will extend given workload.

This is a dual role that will see you manage your own personal caseload and have responsibility to direct and oversee junior officers and their caseload. You will supervise, mentor and/or direct staff as required, including all aspects of performance management.

Your own caseload will include focus on the more significant, complex applications. You will lead a team to help deliver these schemes, acting as technical lead. When required you will prepare Committee present at Planning Committee meetings.

We are looking for an established Principal Officer who can pick up responsibility from day one and is comfortable with the dual nature of this particular role. 

The rate is £56/hr and the standard working week is 37 hours.


Principal DM Officer

Our local authority client in Essex is seeking an experienced HMO Licensing Officer to join their team on a contract basis. The role focuses on HMO licensing alongside housing standards inspections, enforcement activity, and duties requiring full competence in HHSRS.

To be considered, you must hold a valid HHSRS certification and have at least 3 years’ experience working in HMO licensing and housing enforcement within a local authority setting. Strong inspection, regulatory, and enforcement skills are essential.

This is a full-time contract for an initial 3 months, with the possibility of extension to 6 months. Hybrid working is negotiable, however you must be able to attend the office at least 3 days per week and be able to drive. Rates up to £45 per hour are available for the right candidate.

Housing Enforcement Officer

Our client, based in Hertfordshire, is seeking an experienced Environmental Protection Officer with strong expertise across all areas of Statutory Nuisance, including noise, pest control, drainage, and related environmental protection matters.

While no formal qualifications are required, candidates must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working within a local authority setting. Senior EHOs will be considered; however, this is a small team and the role is fully operational, with no line management responsibilities—ideal for someone who enjoys being out on district.

This is a contract role offering an initial 12 weeks, with the possibility of extension. The position offers hybrid working and a competitive rate of up to £45 per hour.

EP Officer

We are working on behalf of a central London Borough who are in the midst of delivering an ambitious transformation programme – ‘Fit for the Future 2030’ - a commitment to becoming a modern, inclusive, resident-led council.

As a key enabler of this programme, the Contracts Commercial Lead will play a central role in improving our commercial performance and optimising outcomes across a diverse contract portfolio. This is a highly strategic, delivery-focused interim role that will shape how we manage commercial relationships, identify efficiencies, and drive measurable improvements in value for money.

The postholder will work across Procurement & Commercial Services, Finance, Legal, and operational teams to embed best practice and secure improved outcomes from our supplier base.

This position is hybrid, requiring at least three days per week on-site. You must be prepared to be flexible to attend out-of-hours and in-person meetings as required. Fully remote working cannot be accommodated for this role.

Please let us know if you are interested and would like more information.


Contracts Commercial Lead

Our client, based in Devon, is seeking an experienced Mentor Housing Standards / Renewal Officer to support the delivery of high-quality investigative and enforcement work within private sector housing. The role involves investigating complaints, assessing landlord compliance with housing legislation, and advising tenants and stakeholders on rights and available remedies.

Key duties include carrying out property inspections and HHSRS assessments, identifying hazards, and enforcing housing standards through appropriate regulatory action. This includes work related to HMO licensing, empty homes, and disrepair, ensuring properties meet statutory and safety requirements.

Candidates must be HHSRS qualified and have a background working within a local authority. The role offers an ASAP start and will continue until May. This contrat offers 37 hours per week with hybrid working (3 days on site, 2 from home). Applicants must have their own vehicle. The pay rate is £45+ per hour, depending on experience.

Housing Standards Officer

Our local authority client, based in Surrey are seeking an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer – Compliance to join our team on a full-time, 6-month contract. This role focuses on ensuring compliance across private sector housing, driving up standards and protecting residents through effective regulation and enforcement.

You will work a hybrid pattern (3 days on site, 2 days from home) and will be responsible for inspections, compliance monitoring, enforcement activity, and advising landlords and stakeholders in line with housing legislation. A strong, practical understanding of statutory requirements and regulatory processes is essential.

A background in a local authority housing is a must. The role offers a competitive rate of £45 per hour, making it ideal for an experienced professional who can hit the ground running and deliver results from day one.

Private Sector Housing Officer - Compliance

We are looking to recruit an Interim Snr PM for a role focused on delivering new build housing projects in East London.

You will project manage a substantial proportion of the Housing Capital Programme – c£10m per annum.  This will involve management of the internal team, contracts, technical consultants and contractors, ensuring value for money, qualitative outcomes and meeting spend targets. 

On a daily basis you will work closely with the programme manager to help lead, motivate and manage a team of people working on the capital programme, including surveyors, and quantity surveyors, Clerks of Work and Contract Administrators.

It will be your responsibility to ensure that contract governance arrangements are followed ensuring contractors are effectively monitored and managed. This will include that there are regular operational meetings with contractors and performance managing contractors.

On a monthly basis, or as required, you will produce performance information including information on budget spend, completions, refusals, satisfaction, stock condition, and progress towards decency. You will work to ensure arrangements are in place to monitor and report performance and that corrective and preventative action is put in place where necessary in accordance with Risk Management Strategy.

Our client is a Local Authority so we are looking for those who have spent at least the last 5-10 years developing and delivering new build housing schemes. Ideally you will have gained this experience in an inner London authority.

The initial contract will be 6 months with potential to extend significantly given the work programme.

The rate is £546.20 per day (inside IR35).

You will be working in East London.


Senior PM – New Build Housing

EHO / SEHO – Housing Officer (Contract)

?? Hertfordshire
? 12-week contract (strong likelihood of extension)
?? Hybrid working available

We are working on behalf of a local authority in Hertfordshire who are seeking an experienced Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Senior Environmental Health Officer (SEHO) to support their Housing team on an initial 12-week contract, with potential to extend.

Key Responsibilities

-Deliver housing enforcement work including HHSRS inspections, disrepair, damp and mould, and overcrowding cases
-Investigate complaints and take proportionate enforcement action
-Draft and serve statutory notices and prepare cases for prosecution where required
-Provide professional advice to tenants, landlords, and managing agents
-Maintain accurate case records and produce clear reports
-Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners

Essential Requirements

Degree or postgraduate qualification in Environmental Health/EHRB registration (or eligibility) 
Recent experience working within housing enforcement for a UK local authority and Strong working knowledge of housing legislation and enforcement procedures. You must have the ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision

Desirable

Experience working at Senior EHO level
Previous contract or interim local authority experience

What’s on Offer

Competitive day rate (dependent on experience)
Hybrid working arrangements
Initial 12-week contract with strong extension potential
Quick turnaround and immediate start available

?? If you’re interested or would like more information, please apply today or contact us directly to discuss the role in confidence.

EHO/SEHO Housing Officer

We have a long-standing project with a client in West Yorkshire and we need some additional resource to help complete their inspection programme to the end of March. 

We have around 100-150 inspections we could allocate and we can split amongst multiple inspectors if needed; we do not necessarily need you to do the entire quota.

The premises are mainly Cat C, D and Unrated new businesses and we will pay rates as below:

Cat C £58.50
Cat D £53.50
Cat E £40

The work programme is totally flexible and can be adapted to suit your own circumstances. You will simply be allocated a number of inspections and left to deliver them whenever it suits you. You are able to work evenings and weekends.

You will need to be food competent with recent local authority inspection experience. We will need to see evidence of your competency.

Work is outside IR35 for those who wish to work via a Ltd Co.

Please contact us for further info and to register your interest.

Ref: OR/088346
