Decision details

Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, local authorities have been given new powers to impose civil sanctions as an alternative to prosecution for certain housing offences.  The Cabinet will be asked to consider and approve a new civil sanctions policy following an engagement exercise in order to implement these new powers.  The Cabinet will also be asked to recommend to Council approval of new delegations to officers so that they can use the new powers. This policy has been jointly produced with Forest Heath District Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Housing Standards – Civil Sanctions Policy contained in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/18/021, which describes the new measures and sanctions which will support existing enforcement work and pro-active inspection programmes, be adopted; and

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL (24 April 2018):

That the new delegations regarding the enforcement powers be incorporated into the Scheme of Delegation, contained in Part 3 of the Constitution, to enable these sanctions to be enforced.