A new corporate enforcement policy has been adopted by the District Council.

Enforcement is carried out by a range of services, including environmental health, planning, property & commercial services and building control.

The updated policy sets down three principles with which all enforcement action should comply:

• Consistency - taking a similar approach to similar circumstances to achieve similar ends
• Proportionality - relating the action to the risk, so that the most serious breaches are prioritised
• Openness - ensuring that all concerned know and understand what is happening and why

Environmental health manager John Carter explained: "While individual departments still have their own enforcement procedures, it is important that all customers know what to expect if they make a complaint that leads to enforcement, or if they are the subject of inspection or investigation."

The policy also includes guidance on how to use surveillance (an option for tackling fly tipping, for example), and details of how and when fixed penalty notices can be issued.

To view the policy, visit www.westwiltshire.gov.uk

12:12pm Tuesday 11th December 2007

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