Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Community Services

Purpose of Report

To seek approval of the joint draft Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Council Noise Enforcement Policy prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the joint draft Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Council Enforcement Policy.

1.2         To delegate authority to the Head of Community Services to consider responses and, if necessary amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member for Clean and Green.

Resolved

(1)          That the joint draft Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Council Enforcement Policy (annex to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be approved for consultation.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Community Services to consider responses and, if necessary amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report which sought approval of the joint draft Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Council Noise Enforcement Policy prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the joint draft Cherwell and South Northamptonshire Council Enforcement Policy (annex to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be approved for consultation.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Community Services to consider responses and, if necessary amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member.

Reasons

Local authorities must comply with the requirements of the Regulators Code. One of the requirements is a requirement to publish information about our enforcement policy and our response to non-compliance.

If the policy is approved and implemented the local authority will meet that requirement of the Code and will demonstrate a transparent approach to our regulatory activities.

Alternative Options

Option 1: The committee can approve the recommendations.

Option 2: The committee can reject the recommendations but the absence of an up to date policy could place the local authority at risk of legal challenge and lead to inconsistency in our approach to regulation.