PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION AND
LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE
MISSION
STATEMENT
The new Directorate of Environmental
Protection and Legal Services covers the following areas of
responsibilities:
- Food Hygiene
- Licensing
- Health and Safety
- Housing Enforcement
- Pest Control
- Planning Enforcement
- Fly tipping/Dog Fouling
- Nuisances
- Pollution
- Certain Drainage issues
- Civil parking Enforcement
- Abandoned Vehicles
- Legal Services
- Procurement
The Director in charge is David Pattison.
As a result of the changes it is important to
set out clearly the vision for the Directorate once it has been
established. Much of the Directorate’s work will relate to
enforcement. Indeed one strength of the Directorate is that the
vast majority of the Council’s enforcement functions are now
concentrated in one team.
The Council’s corporate aims and objectives
are at the heart of what the Directorate will do. These are:
Aim 1 - To be a Council which protects and enhances
South Staffordshire's distinctive environment.
Aim 2 - To be a healthy and safe District in which to
live, work and visit.
Aim 3 - To be a District of thriving and sustainable
communities.
Aim 4 - To be a District recognised for strong community
leadership and partnership working.
Aim 5 - To be a well managed Council
The Directorate’s intended approach is:
- Focused enforcement - Our enforcement resources
will be targeted primarily on activities giving rise to the most
serious risks to the environment, health and safety or the public.
This will work towards aims 1 and 2. Having one
Directorate will allow resources to be focussed onto priority areas
of concern when the need arises including for example protection of
the character of the green belt in terms of breach of planning
control and reduction of pollution and fly tipping.
- Any enforcement will be fair, accountable, consistent,
proportionate and transparent. This will work towards aims 2, 3, 4
and 5 - The public and businesses should know what
approach is likely to be taken in advance and should be kept
informed of the steps to be taken. Any step taken should be
proportionate to the nature of the offence and the harm caused.
Having enforcement concentrated in one team will allow enforcement
approaches to be consistent and standardised, where appropriate. A
co-ordinated central enforcement policy for the Council will
shortly be produced for consultation.
- Reduction of burden on business through improved
partnership working and more consistent working as a Council - The
Directorate should reduce as much as possible the regulatory burden
on businesses. This will work towards aims 3, 4 and 5.
Improved working with partners and within the Council is critical
and a priority for the Directorate. For example where visits are
necessary they are, where possible, jointly carried out or by only
one authority and information sharing is improved.
- Involvement of the public and businesses in the
Directorate’s approach and policies. This will work towards aims 2,
3 and 5 – the public and those businesses affected by the
Directorate’s work should be given an opportunity to be involved in
the development and implementation of the policies adopted by the
Directorate
- Improved communication. This will work towards aim 5
– Members should be kept informed about the status of any
enforcement in their area through regular updates. Members should
also be provided with information as to the levels and types of
enforcement action taking place. The Directorate will also work on
taking a proactive approach so that the public and businesses are
educated on areas of concern to try and avoid problems arising such
as the current examples of health and safety training for care
homes.
David Pattison
Directorate of Environmental Protection and Legal
Services
Legal and Public Health Protection
Services
Telephone: (01902) 696220
Fax: (01902) 696222