Issue - meetings

(Environment Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-030-2009/10).

That the updated version of the Environment and Street Scene Directorate Enforcement Policy and the new Guide be approved and adopted.

The Environment Portfolio Holder presented a report concerning the approval and adoption of the Enforcement Policy and Guide for the Environment & Street Scene Directorate. The Policy set out how the Directorate would undertake its enforcement role and in particular how officers would deal with those in the community when enforcement activities were undertaken.  It was important for the Policy to be updated, before the new Environment & Neighbourhoods Team completed their Essex Police accreditation training and commenced their work within the District. The Policy, with minor amendments, had been endorsed by the Safer, Cleaner, Greener Scrutiny Panel and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Whilst the Policy was being revised, it was felt that a shorter, easier to understand guide should also be produced. The Cabinet was requested to formally approve and adopt both the Policy and Guide.

Decision:

That the updated version of the Environment and Street Scene Directorate Enforcement Policy and the new Guide be approved and adopted.

Reasons for Decision:

To keep the Directorate’s Policy up to date.

To ensure that those members of the public who interacted with the Directorate during its enforcement activities were fully aware of what to expect from Officers and to be satisfied that they would be treated fairly and proportionately.

The shorter guide was intended more for the general public.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To not adopt the policy and guide, however this course of action would leave the Council open to criticism. The Council was already a signatory to the Government Cabinet Office Enforcement Concordat, which required that the Council demonstrated openness and fairness in its approach to enforcement.