60 CORPORATE ENFORCEMENT POLICY PDF 140 KB
The Executive Councillor for Community Resilience, Well-Being and Regulatory Services, Councillor A Dickinson to present a new Corporate Enforcement Policy for adoption by the Council.
(The draft Policy has been considered by the Development Management Committee, Licensing and Protection / Licensing Committees and the Cabinet).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
In conjunction with a report by the Head of Community (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor Mrs A Dickinson, Executive Councillor for Community Resilience, Well-Being and Regulatory Services appraised the Council with a presentation on a Corporate Enforcement Policy for the District Council, comprising two documents designed to standardise enforcement across the Council’s regulatory services. Attention was drawn to the formal policy document that set out the principles of enforcement, whilst adhering to the regulatory and legislative framework to assist individuals and businesses to ensure compliance with the law. The second document sets out the operational guidance of how enforcement would be carried out, detailing the alternative approaches for different breaches and enforcement action.
Having noted that the draft policy had been designed to ensure a consistent approach from the Council’s regulatory services, Members noted that the draft documents had been discussed by the Development Management Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Communities and Environment), Licensing and Protection/Licensing Committees and the Cabinet and Members views had been taken into account, it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement and Corporate Enforcement Policy as appended to the report now submitted be approved; and
(b) that the Head of Community and Head of Development Services be authorised to make minor editorial changes to the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement and Corporate Enforcement Policy which by definition make no change to the scope or meaning of the Policy.
Actions: 10 Minutes.
61 Corporate Enforcement Policy PDF 141 KB
To consider a report by the Head of Community seeking endorsement of the Corporate Enforcement Policy.
(Executive Councillor: Cllr Mrs A Dickinson)
Contact: C Stopford 388280
Additional documents:
Decision:
That the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement (as attached at Appendix A of the report now submitted) and the Corporate Enforcement Policy (as attached at Appendix B of the report now submitted be endorsed and recommended for approval at Council.
That the delegation of the Head of Community and Head of Development to make minor editorial changes to the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement (as attached at Appendix A of the report now submitted) and the Corporate Enforcement Policy (as attached at Appendix B of the report now submitted) which by definition make no change to the scope or meaning of the Policy be authorised.
That the approach taken by the Operational Guidance (as attached at Appendix C of the report now submitted) be endorsed.
That the delegation of the Head of Community and Head of Development, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors and Chairs and Vice Chair of the relevant regulatory Committees, the maintenance of the Operational Guidance in light of changes resulting from revocations, amendments, or enactments of relevant statutory provisions; changes in statutory guidance, or best practice be approved.
Minutes:
Executive Councillors were invited to consider a report by the Head of Community, along with its related Appendices (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) presenting the revised Corporate Enforcement Policy. Members were appraised that the report presented a revised and updated Corporate Enforcement Policy designed to operate across the Council’s regulatory services broadly within the remit of the Community and Development Services. The Cabinet praised the hard work and dedication given by those involved in the report. In response to a Member’s question, the Head of Community advised that the timescales and processes illustrated in Appendix 1 would be published into the public domain in the interests of being open and transparent. It was also clarified that the policy allowed for better management of expectations and reduced need for customer contact and thus linked in well with the Council’s Transformation Programme. Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
a) that the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement (as attached at Appendix A of the report now submitted) and the Corporate Enforcement Policy (as attached at Appendix B of the report now submitted) be endorsed and submitted to the Council;
b) that the Head of Community and Head of Development be authorised to make minor editorial changes to the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement (as attached at Appendix A of the report now submitted) and the Corporate Enforcement Policy (as attached at Appendix B of the report now submitted) which by definition make no change to the scope or meaning of the Policy;
c) that the approach taken by the Operational Guidance (as attached at Appendix C of the report now submitted) be endorsed; and
d) that the Head of Community and Head of Development, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors and Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the relevant regulatory Committees, be authorised to maintain of the Operational Guidance in light of changes resulting from revocations, amendments, or enactments of relevant statutory provisions; changes in statutory guidance, or best practice.
63 CORPORATE ENFORCEMENT POLICY PDF 229 KB
A discussion paper on the Corporate Enforcement Policy will be presented to the Panel.
Contact: C Stopford 388280
Additional documents:
Minutes:
With the aid of a report by the Head of Community (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Corporate Enforcement Policy was presented to the Panel.
Members were given a brief introduction to the report and were informed that the Policy outlines a number of regulations that individuals and business are required to adhere to and states the sanctions if they are breached.
The Panel stated that they welcomed the approach of working across services. A Member added that they would like the Policy to specifically mention fly posting, unauthorised A Boards and Estate Agent signs. In response, Members were informed that the offences mentioned could be included as part of environment crime, although the Council has to balance which offences are prioritised.
In response to a question regarding the handling of a fly tipping report by the Call Centre, the Panel was informed that the report would be forwarded to two departments, one to enforce and the other to clear up. The matrix within the Policy defines which department is responsible for each of these actions.
Following a question on how the Council would enforce the Policy, the Panel was informed that the Policy would be enforced consistently. The Policy has to be concise and understandable to residents and businesses. It also needs to be an effective deterrent. Members were informed that public reporting is crucial to the success of the Policy and publicising the Council’s successful enforcement is important for public confidence in the Policy and the Council.
In response to a question about collaboration with other local authorities, regarding to persistent offenders, the Panel was informed that where possible the Council does share information with other local authorities however it is not as systemic as it could be.
Following a question regarding abandoned vehicles, it was clarified that a report of an abandoned vehicle would be responded to within three days but it wouldn’t necessarily be removed.
The Panel commended the Policy and stated that the Policy is what is expected but requested that the Policy be amended to list the offences of fly posting, unauthorised A Boards and Estate Agent signs.