Published: Friday, 11th August 2023
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet has agreed to adopt a revised Environmental Health & Public Protection Enforcement Policy, which sets out how the Council enforces and administers responsibilities under a wide range of legislation, including:
• Licensing (Taxi/Private Hire, Alcohol, Street Trading, Scrap Metal, Animal Welfare)
• Private Housing (rented properties, including multi-occupied houses and mobile/park homes)
• Food Safety & Hygiene
• Environmental Protection (dog fouling, littering, fly tipping, contaminated land, air quality and noise pollution)
• Public Health (filthy properties, accumulations of rubbish, pest infestations etc.)
• Health, Safety and Welfare at Work
• Smokefree Laws
The Policy sets out the enforcement options available, including informal warnings, notices, fixed penalties, revocation of licences, Cautions and Prosecution, and explains how the Council will decide what action is appropriate. The Policy also explains the decision-making process and provides guidance to all stakeholders on how the Council enforces this legislation.
Councillor Tony Johnson, Leader of the Council said “In adopting this updated Enforcement Policy, the Council can evidence a clear framework within which enforcement decisions and actions are taken. Fair and effective enforcement aims to protect our environment, the health, safety and interests of businesses, consumers, licence holders, tenants, landlords and, as we have seen over recent months, animal welfare.
“The Policy ensures the Council discharges its statutory functions fairly and effectively and that decisions are transparent, proportionate and comply with Human Rights and Equalities legislation. It provides assurance that decisions in relation to enforcement can withstand challenge and scrutiny by outside bodies including the Courts.”