Issue - meetings

Members discussed the updated Environmental Enforcement Policy. The existing enforcement policy used by the Environmental Protection Team had been updated to ensure compliance with current legislation and guidance. In particular, the updated policy reflects the use of Community Protection Warning (CPW) and Community Protection Notice (CPN) Anti-Social Behaviour powers; alongside existing statutory legislation used by Environmental Protection officers in relation to Nuisance complaints.

Thanet District Council had signed up to The Enforcement Concordat, confirming its commitment to the principles of good enforcement. This policy encompassed the principles of this concordat. The policy laid out how enforcement action was decided upon and provided both those raising Environmental Protection complaints, or those causing them, to understand what action was available to the local authority to resolve these issues.

The policy laid out how the council investigated complaints including priority of cases. The general policy related to all enforcement actions and described the basic principles of Enforcement. Guidance was provided on what was considered when making a decision on enforcement action. The policy then went on to lay out the various types of enforcement action available to the local authority. The policy included details on complaints and appeals available to those who were affected by enforcement decisions made by the local authority. Council priorities for growth, environment and communities had also been considered within the policy.

Councillor Albon spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

Councillor Jill Bayford proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Cabinet approved Thanet District Council’s Environmental Protection Enforcement Policy 2022-2027.