Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

Resolved:

To recommend that Full Council:

1.    Adopt the Enforcement Policy as set out at Appendix 1.

2.    Delegate the maintenance of service specific enforcement policies (in line with the overall enforcement policy and changes to national guidance and legislation) to Directors in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

That Cabinet approve:

3.    The incorporation of relevant Enforcement Indicators as set out on at the end of Appendix 1 into the Corporate Scorecard, subject to ongoing review by the Leader of the Council.

Reason for Decision:

An assertive and coordinated approach to enforcement will help to increase compliance, prevent further infringements and deter other offenders (in line with the commitment in the Business Plan to ‘prevention and early intervention’ as a guiding theme).

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Military-Civilian Integration, Health and Wellbeing, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts and Tourism presented a report which provided an update to the Enforcement Policy for approval by Full Council.

The Leader explained that the aim of the Policy is to reinforce a ‘one council’ approach to enforcement activity across Wiltshire Council, consistent with the Regulators Code and the Council’s aim to remain focused on prevention, as an effective means of ensuring that businesses and individuals, local premises, practices and activities comply with legislation and statutory requirements.

Cabinet members welcomed the Policy update and felt that it provided a consistent and structured approach to specific problems and deals with a number of complex issues.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, who had to leave this meeting prior to this item being considered, had his comments displayed at the meeting. He indicated that due to the cross-cutting nature of the Policy, all Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Select Committees received a briefing on 3 October 2024. Discussions focussing on local enforcement issues which highlighted the importance of the new Policy. Questions were asked about the scope of the Policy, how it would be communicated to residents and embedded into the work of the Council. Select Committees would follow up on proposed enforcement indicators as appropriate.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the Policy.

Cllr Budden suggested the Policy required some edits and revisions to be useful. The Leader confirmed that the Policy brings together all enforcement policies and that the clarity of the Policy’s wording would be considered further.

Resolved:

To recommend that Full Council:

1.    Adopt the Enforcement Policy as set out at Appendix 1.

2.    Delegate the maintenance of service specific enforcement policies (in line with the overall enforcement policy and changes to national guidance and legislation) to Directors in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

That Cabinet approve:

3.    The incorporation of relevant Enforcement Indicators as set out on at the end of Appendix 1 into the Corporate Scorecard, subject to ongoing review by the Leader of the Council.

Reason for Decision:

An assertive and coordinated approach to enforcement will help to increase compliance, prevent further infringements and deter other offenders (in line with the commitment in the Business Plan to ‘prevention and early intervention’ as a guiding theme).