Enforcement Policy, October 2024
The purpose of enforcement
A guiding theme of the Council's Business Plan is a focus on investment in prevention and early intervention, to tackle problems before they get worse. The primary function of local authority regulatory activity is to protect the public, the environment and the local economy.
We believe that by taking an assertive approach to enforcement, we can better protect scarce public resources, protect the communities we serve and provide a deterrent to the small minority of people who break the rules.
In formulating this policy regard has been had to relevant legislation and codes, including the principles set out in the councils the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.
The policy sets out how the council will have regard to the five principles of good regulation when taking enforcement action, so that it is carried out in a way which is:
- transparent
- accountable
- proportionate
- consistent
- targeted
The 'Regulators' Code' issued in 2014 also outlines that regulators should:
- carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow
- provide simple and straightforward ways to engage with those they regulate and hear their views
- base their regulatory activities on risk
- share information about compliance and risk
- ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply
- ensure that their approach to their regulatory activities is transparent