Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report on the improvement of environmental enforcement within the District.

Reference was made to a previous report on this issue which had been considered by Cabinet on 2nd February 2011. At that time the proposals had been agreed in principle and this report was setting out in more detail the steps necessary to enable nominated officers to deal with a range of environmental enforcement issues more effectively.

It was intended that a publicity and education campaign would be undertaken to ensure the public were aware of the new range of regulatory powers. It would be made clear that the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices and any subsequent Court Proceedings would in most instances be a last resort and that there would be a staged process in place including advice and verbal and written warnings.

It was noted there was a typographical error in section 10 of Appendix B in relation to the Fixed Penalty Notice for offences under Dog Control Orders. It was intended the Fixed Penalty Notice level would be set at £75 reducing to £50 if paid within 10 days. 

RESOLVED  that in accordance with the decision made in principle by the Cabinet on 2nd February 2011, the savings previously identified within the Environmental Services budget be vired to fund the post of Environmental Services Officer.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the Environmental Strategy set out in Appendix A to the report be approved in accordance with the powers for adoption as set out in Appendix A (i) to the report together with the statutory powers to enable Fixed Penalty Notices to be issued as set out in Appendix B to the report.  

(b)       that the delegations to officers set out in Appendix C to the report be approved and that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution;

(c)        that the recommended levels for Fixed Penalty Notices as set out in Appendix B to the report be approved on the basis that these amounts form part of the Council’s fees and charges and will therefore be subject to future amendment by the Cabinet as part of the annual review of fees and charges.