Issue - meetings

To seek approval of a revised corporate Enforcement Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory, which sought approval of a revised corporate Enforcement Policy.

DECISION:

1)    That the revised Corporate Enforcement Policy be approved;

2)    That the Head of Public Protection and the Assistant Director Regulatory be given delegated authority to make such amendments to this policy as may from time to time be required in order to (i) reference any links or amended links to other documents as may be required; and (ii) reflect any issues over which the Council has no discretion including, but not limited to, references to any legislative changes and amended guidance. Any material amendments to the policy will be subject to the usual approval process in line with the Constitution; and

3)    That all Service Managers responsible for enforcement action under this policy be given delegated authority to take, in exceptional circumstances, such action in departure from any part of this policy as they consider appropriate subject to (i) the reasons for such departure being documented; and (ii) consultation with the relevant portfolio holder or Committee Chairman.

(Other options considered:

·         Approve the revised Enforcement Policy without the recommended delegations;

·         Do nothing and retain the previous 2018 version of the policy.

Reasons for decision:

·         To ensure legal compliance and best practice).

To seek approval of a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director - Regulatory to seek approval of a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy.

The Head of Public Protection introduced the report which had included the following general overview:

• the policy covered a broad range of powers which included enforcement and compliance;
• it had applied to regulatory and enforcement activities carried out on behalf of the Council: such as in Environmental Health; Planning; and Building Control;
• the policy had been reviewed every three years and the last major review had occurred in 2018;
• the proposed changes listed in the report had been minor and the application of the policy had remained unchanged;
• consultation had taken place with relevant council departments. Public consultation had not been required as the changes had been minor.

The Head of Public Protection advised the Panel that recommendations 3 and 4 within the report had been included in error as these recommendations only applied to Cabinet (the report was due to be considered there on 14 December 2021)

AGREED:

1)    That the revised Corporate Enforcement Policy be noted; and

2)    That the revised Corporate Enforcement Policy be recommended to go forward to Cabinet.