Environmental Health & Licensing Division
Enforcement Policy
The Council's Environmental Health & Licensing Division administers a wide range of legislation which contains a variety of 
enforcement powers, including:
- food safety
- occupational health and safety
- environmental protection
- public and animal safety and welfare licensing
In 2001, following consultation with local business and consumer representatives, the Council adopted an enforcement policy for the Environmental Health & Licensing Division which describes the range of available enforcement measures, the constraints that apply to them and a list of commitments to businesses and others subject to regulation, and to consumers.
- The key features of the Policy, which reflect the principles within the Government's Good Enforcement Concordat, include the following commitments:
- being fair, equitable and consistent
- focusing on prevention rather than cure
- providing an opportunity for discussion, where formal action is being considered
- when discussing remedial action, clearly distinguishing between legal requirements and advisory recommendations
- adopting a 'staged' approach i.e. seeking to avoid formal action in the first instance and
- where immediate formal action is required, sending a written explanation soon afterwards.
More specific and concise guidelines - published as shorter leaflets - for each of the main Council-enforced business sectors are proposed to accompany the main Policy.
More information:
