Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Heads of Environment & Community Services and of Democratic and Central Services outlining the implications for the Council of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Noted the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, which came into effect in October 2008.

The Cabinet were acquainted by way of a joint report by the Heads of Environmental and Community Health Services and of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) with the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 which had come into effect in October 2008.

Members were advised that the Act was an important element in delivering the Government's commitment to the implementation of the Hampton Agenda on regulatory reform and the reduction of the burden on businesses.  It was reported that a range of enforcement policies would need to be updated to reflect the requirements of the Act and that there would be a continuing requirement for enforcement policies to be reviewed and updated where appropriate.  Having noted that the Licensing and Protection Panel had authorised officers to review enforcement policies as and when appropriate, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted.

To receive a joint report by Heads of Environmental and Community Services and Democratic and Central Services, on the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Members were acquainted by a way of a joint report by the Heads of Environmental and Community Health Services and Democratic and Central Services ( a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) with the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 which had come into effect in October 2008.

Members were advised that the Act was an important element in delivering the Government’s commitment to the implementation of the Hampton agenda on regulatory reform and the reduction of the burden on businesses.

The Panel was advised that the Act delivered a number of distinct but related policy areas, relating to the advancement of Hampton’s vision of a national and local regulatory system that was risk based, consistent, proportionate and effective.  The Act had established the Local Better Regulation Office to promote better regulation and co-ordination between local authorities and central government in minimising the burdens of regulation on compliant businesses.  It also sought to establish a Primary Authority scheme to improve consistency of advice and enforcement which would prove resource intensive for those councils nominated by businesses to be their Primary Authority.

The Panel was advised that a range of enforcement policies would need to be updated by relevant Heads of Service to reflect the requirements of the Act and there would be an ongoing requirement for enforcement policies to be reviewed and updated where appropriate.  It was therefore

RESOLVED

(a)  that the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  that Heads of Service be authorised to review enforcement policies having specific regard to the content of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 and to introduce any necessary changes after consultation with the relevant executive councillor, chairman or vice chairman; and

(c)  relevant Heads of Service be authorised to review their enforcement policies as and when appropriate, following the implementation of future legislation or statutory codes and to approve any necessary changes after consultation with the relevant executive councillor, chairman or vice chairman.