General Enforcement Policy

1. Introduction

  1. This document is the General Enforcement Policy for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (the ‘Council’). It is based on the principles of transparency, consistency and proportionality and sets out the key principles under which officers will seek to achieve compliance with the relevant legislation that the Council enforces. The policy conforms to the Regulators’ Code (Better Regulation Delivery Office [BRDO]) April 2014, and should be read in conjunction with any applicable service specific policies and procedures such as those listed in Appendix C.
  2. Our primary purpose is to ensure regulatory compliance and enforcement which protects the public. To do this the Council will deliver efficient, targeted and proportionate regulatory services focused by risk assessment to provide a positive approach to those regulated and achieve compliance.
  3. The Council’s Corporate Priorities are supported by providing protection from harm for individuals and the environment, enabling businesses to flourish without unnecessary burden of inspection and regulation, and improving the health and wellbeing of those living, working and visiting the Borough.
  4. The Council is committed to good enforcement practice and adherence to the current legislation, guidance, and codes of practice, that influence this policy (see Appendix A).
  5. The Council and its officers will protect and, at least maintain, good standards and conditions that impact on the living, neighbourhood and work environments of all who live, work and visit Rotherham.
  6. The Council is committed to good enforcement practice and adherence to the current legislation, guidance, and codes of practice, that influence the policy, (see Appendix A).
  7. The Council will exercise our regulatory activities in a way which is
    • Proportionate – our activities will reflect the level of risk to the public and enforcement action taken will relate to the seriousness of the offence.
    • Accountable – our activities will be open to public scrutiny, with clear and accessible policies, and fair and efficient complaints procedures.
    • Consistent – our advice to those regulated will be robust, reliable and similarly advice provided by others will be respected. Where circumstances are similar, a consistent, if possible, approach/action to other local authorities will be followed.
    • Transparent – those regulated will be advised appropriately so as to understand what is expected of them and what they can anticipate in return.
    • Targeted – resources will be focused on higher risk enterprises and activities, reflecting local need and national priorities.
  8. The Council will avoid imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens, and policies, procedures and practices will consider supporting or enabling economic growth by considering economic impacts and costs of compliance with a view to improving confidence in compliance of those regulated and encouraging compliance.
  9. The Council will ensure that regulatory officers have the necessary knowledge and skills to:
    • Understand the principles of protecting the public
    • Support those that they regulate
    • Understand those they regulate
    • Understand the statutory principles of good regulation and how activities are delivered in accordance with the Code.
  10. The Policy will be published on the internet. Relevant service standards and function specific Enforcement Policies drawn up by each individual service area, will be available in electronic or paper format upon request.