Agenda item

(a)  That the draft Consumer Protection and Business Compliance Enforcement Policy be approved.

(b)  That the revised policy be adopted by all other regulatory and enforcement service areas where appropriate within the Council.

(c)  That the Head of Consumer Protection and Business Compliance Services be authorised to make minor amendments to the adopted Policy as required to reflect changes in legislation or guidance and codes of practice where a full review of the Policy is not warranted.

The Licensing Manager introduced a report seeking approval of the Consumer Protection and Business Compliance Enforcement Policy to Council.

The policy succeeded the Enforcement Policy for the then Public Protection Service which Members had approved in 2012, and the review of the policy took account of changes to legislation, the introduction of a new Regulators Code and the formation of the Consumer Protection & Business Compliance Service.  The policy provided guidance to officers, managers, businesses and consumers in relation to enforcement actions and decisions, and also ensured that the reasons and justification for the decisions were transparent and accountable, and that they are taken in a proportionate, fair and consistent manner based on risk.  The revised document had been subject to consultation and the responses were detailed in the report.

After due consideration, the Cabinet agreed to recommend the Enforcement Policy to Council at its meeting on 22^nd July 2014.

Recommended –

(a)  That the draft Consumer Protection and Business Compliance Enforcement Policy be approved.

(b)  That the revised policy be adopted by all other regulatory and enforcement service areas where appropriate within the Council.

(c)  That the Head of Consumer Protection and Business Compliance Services be authorised to make minor amendments to the adopted Policy as required to reflect changes in legislation or guidance and codes of practice where a full review of the Policy is not warranted.