Enforcement Concordat for Regulatory Services
The enforcement policies adopted by the regulatory services within the Environment directorate are modelled around the Enforcement Concordat. The concordat is a code of practice which outlines in general terms principles of good enforcement practice.
The code has the support of government, through the Cabinet Office, the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS) and the Local Government Association. The Enforcement Concordat is reproduced below. Businesses and others being regulated can expect officers from Consumer Protection Services to comply with its principles.
Each of the enforcement services which makes up the Regulatory Services has in addition an enforcement procedure which builds on the principles in the concordat and tailors the concordat to the particular service concerned.
We enthusiastically endorse the principles of the concordat and are therefore keen that the principles should be followed at all times. If you feel that we are not complying in any way you are encouraged to make a complaint to the service concerned through the Council's Complaints Procedure.
Policy
Standards
In consultation with business and other relevant interested parties, including technical experts where appropriate, we will draw up clear standards setting out the level of service and performance the public and business people can expect to receive. We will publish these standards and our annual performance against them. The standards will be made available to business and others who are regulated.
Openness
We will provide information and advice in plain language on the rules that we apply and will disseminate this as widely as possible. We will be open about how we set about our work, including any charges that we set, consulting business, voluntary organisations, charities, consumers and workforce representatives. We will discuss general issues, specific compliance failures or problems with anyone experiencing difficulties.
Helpfulness
We believe that prevention is better than cure and that our role therefore involves actively working with business, especially small and medium sized business, to advise on and assist with compliance. We will provide a courteous and efficient service and our staff will identify themselves by name. We will provide a contact point and telephone number for further dealings with us and we will encourage business to seek advice/information from us. Applications for approval of establishments, licences, registrations, etc. will be dealt with efficiently and promptly. We will ensure that, wherever practicable, our enforcement services are effectively co-ordinated to minimise unnecessary overlaps and time delays.
Complaints about a service
We will provide well publicised, effective and timely complaints procedures easily accessible to business, the public, employers and consumer groups. In cases where disputes cannot be resolved, any right of complaint or appeal will be explained, with details of the process and the likely timescales involved.
Proportionality
We will minimise the cost of compliance for business by ensuring that any action we require is proportionate to the risks. As far as the law allows, we will take account of the circumstance of the case and the attitude of the operator when considering action.
We will take particular care to work with small businesses and voluntary and community organisations so that they can meet their legal obligations without unnecessary expense, where practicable.
Consistency
We will carry out our duties in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. While inspectors are expected to exercise judgement in individual cases, we will have arrangements in place to promote consistency, including effective arrangements for liaison with other authorities and enforcement bodies through schemes such as those operated by the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS) and the Local Authority National Type Approval Confederation (LANTAC).
Procedures
Advice from an officer will be put clearly and simply and will be confirmed in writing, on request, explaining why any remedial work is necessary and over what timescale, and making sure that legal requirements are clearly distinguished from best practice advice.
Before formal enforcement action is taken, officers will provide an opportunity to discuss the circumstance of the case and, if possible, resolve points of difference, unless immediate action is required (for example, in the interest of health and safety or environmental protection or to prevent evidence being destroyed).
Where immediate action is considered necessary, an explanation of why such action was required will be given at the time and confirmed in writing in most cases within 5 working days and, in all cases, within 10 working days.
Where there are rights of appeal against formal action, advice on the appeal mechanism will be clearly set out in writing at the time the actions is taken (whenever possible this advice will be issued with the enforcement notice).
Policy and Procedures
This document sets out what business and others being regulated can expect from enforcement officers. It commits us to good enforcement policies and procedures. It may be supplemented by additional statements of enforcement policy.
The primary function of central and local government enforcement work is to protect the public, the environment and groups such as consumers and workers. At the same time, carrying out enforcement functions in an equitable, practical and consistent manner helps to promote a thriving national and local economy. We are committed to these aims and to maintaining a fair and safe trading environment.
The effectiveness of legislation in protecting consumers or sectors in society depends crucially on the compliance of those regulated. We recognise that most business want to comply with the law. We will, therefore, take care to help business and others meet their legal obligations without unnecessary expense, while taking firm action, including prosecution where appropriate, against those who flout the law or act irresponsibly. All citizens will reap the benefits of this policy through better information, choice and safety.
We have therefore adopted the central and local government Concordat on Good Enforcement. Included in the term ‘enforcement’ are advisory visits and assisting with compliance as well as licensing and formal enforcement action. By adopting the concordat we commit ourselves to the following policies and procedures, which contribute to best value, and will provide information to show that we are observing them.