Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 21, 2026

Purpose: To approve the revision to the Council's General Enforcement Policy.

Content: RESOLVED That the Cabinet: a)      Approves Option C and adopts the updated General Enforcement Policy (Appendix A of report HCS/103). b)      Instructs, subject to the approval of Recommendation 2.1 a) each Head of Service in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to update their specific policies and procedures, including their own delegation schemes, in relation to any enforcement activity to reflect the updated General Enforcement Policy. (Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation). c)      Delegates authority to the Head of Community Services in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and Head of Service (as required) to make amendments to the General Enforcement Policy as further changes to legislation and statutory guidance are introduced or following a subsequent review. (Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation). Reasons for the Recommendations The updated policy will ensure officers are applying a consistent enforcement approach, and thereby also increasing the efficiency and efficacy of enforcement decisions underpinned by evidence gathering.  Following sustained year-on-year increases of offences such as fly tipping, littering, dog fouling and public space anti-social behaviour, an enhanced approach to enforcement through a third-party enforcement concession contract was agreed by the council.  In order for action taken by the third party to be compliant, the policy must be updated to reflect current legislation, and statutory guidance such as the regulators code and Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006. The desired outcome is to have a comprehensive policy that is treated as a live policy which sets out in detail how the council will deliver enforcement and regulatory functions, and for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to refer to, to ensure they understand our enforcement and regulatory protocols. This is a council-wide policy and will affect all teams across the council that provide any form of regulatory enforcement.