Enforcement Strategy Review

Environment and Communities Overview & Scrutiny Panel

Reason for review

Following a review of integrated enforcement, the panel identified that a companion review should be undertaken to complete looking at this important area of council work. The first review looked at the enforcement powers that the council holds and how these are distributed across the council’s enforcement teams. This review specifically looks at the use of these powers and the effectiveness of the use of the powers, the consistency of their application and adherence to the principles of enforcement agreed by the council.

Objectives/scope

The review is focused on the four areas of enforcement activities:

·         Planning (Development and Building Control)

·         Parking

·         Highways (including blocked pavements)

·         Parks and Open spaces (Rangers)

·         Fly-tipping

 

The review is aiming to understand:

·         The council’s enforcement strategy and how departmental / service team policies are linked to this.

·         What processes are followed by each team

·         Thresholds for action (stages leading to and including court action)

·         Barriers to enforcement

·         Any changes in policy or approach needed

·         Understanding the customer/reporter’s experience of asking for enforcement

 

Delivery methods:

·         Desktop data review

·         Interviews with enforcement officers (view from the front line)

·         Presentation from each enforcement team

·         Review effectiveness data (how has the contra behaviour been reduced from the enforcement stance taken)

·         Reviewing court case data and outcomes

·         Reviewing complaints

·         Speaking to customers who have asked for enforcement

 

Council theme:

·         Environment and Communities

Council team:

·         Contract Services (Parking and PPP)

·         Planning

Review due:

·         Sept - Nov

Proposed by:

·         Replacement work programme item

Equality Impact Assessment

·         Potential for unintended discrimination (disproportionate enforcement)

 

Financial and legal implications

·         There are potentially legal and financial implications of any recommendations arising from this review which will be fully addressed in the review report.

 

Climate change implications

The built environment can both positively and negatively impact on our climate change objectives. Strong and consistent enforcement can ensure that the policies agreed by the council are met by everyone.