Corporate enforcement policy

Scope

This policy covers the enforcement of legislation by the Council, its Officers or contractors.

1.1 This policy is applicable to enforcement of the following areas of legislation by the Council, its Officers or contractors:

Environmental Health (including food safety, pollution control, health and safety at work)

  • Licensing
  • Taxis and private hire
  • Environment including parking, litter/waste and dog control
  • Planning
  • Housing including Private Sector Housing
  • Anti Social Behaviour
  • Debt Recovery(Sundry Debtors)
  • Council Tax/non domestic rates (NDR)

1.2 This policy provides guidance to Authorised Officers3 and information to Elected Members and the public.

1.3 This policy is applicable to all Council employees working in the above areas and those from other service areas who support the delivery of these functions. It is also applicable to agency/contract staff working on behalf of the Council.

1.4 Where this policy refers to legislation, codes of practice, guidance and similar; that reference includes any subsequent amendments/updates to such legislation, codes of

practice or guidance.

1.5 In carrying out enforcement work, we will follow relevant legislation and have regard to associated guidance, codes of practice and similar.

1.6 This policy is a general statement of the approaches to be taken regarding enforcement and will assist in making decisions; individual service areas may have their own

operational procedures and guidance which set out how the various enforcement tools available to the council may be used.

1.7 The Council constitution sets out the scheme of delegation and the enforcement remit and responsibilities of individual officers and committees.

1.8 This policy is the council food law enforcement policy and the health and safety enforcement policy.

3 In this document the term "authorised officer" is used to mean an officer of the Council authorised in writing to carry out enforcement activities on behalf of the Council. It includes other designations such as "inspector", "appointed officer", "designated person" and similar terms as well as a committee or sub-committee of the Council acting under delegated powers to enforce a particular provision on behalf of the Council.