Issue - meetings

Corporate Enforcement Policy

Meeting: 08/01/2026 - Cabinet (Item 184)

Webcast for 08/01/2026 - Cabinet

184 Corporate Enforcement Policy PDF 536 KB

Purpose:

To present Cabinet with a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy for approval and adoption.

Cotswold District Council is required to have an effective Corporate Enforcement Policy to enable officers to investigate and take action to ensure individuals and businesses comply with the law.

The policy sets out the legislative framework and principles the council will abide by when undertaking investigations to mitigate the risk of legal challenge in Court.

The policy demonstrates the council’s consideration of necessity, proportionality and public interest when deciding on enforcement action and demonstrates openness and transparency for residents, Councillors and employees.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Approve and adopt the Corporate Enforcement Policy attached to this report.

2. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to approve future minor amendments to the Policy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Head of Service Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Relevant Heads of Service and the Head of Legal Services.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to present Cabinet with a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy for approval and adoption.

Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and highlighted that the policy enabled officers to ensure compliance with the law, outlined the legislative framework and principles for investigations, mitigated legal risks, and demonstrated the Council’s commitment to necessity, proportionality, public interest, and transparency for residents, Councillors, and employees.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Andrea Pellegram.

Resolved that Cabinet:

1. Approved and adopted the Corporate Enforcement Policy attached to the report.

2. Delegated authority to the Chief Executive to approve future minor amendments to the Policy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Head of Service Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Relevant Heads of Service and the Head of Legal Services.

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to present Cabinet with a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy for approval and adoption.

Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and advised that the policy would replace the enforcement policy adopted in March 2019. He highlighted that it enabled officers to ensure compliance with the law, set out the legislative framework and principles for investigations, mitigated legal risks, and demonstrated the Council’s commitment to necessity, proportionality, public interest, and transparency for residents, Councillors, and employees. It was noted that enforcement fell within the Council’s statutory powers and that the policy regulated how and when those powers would be exercised.

The Head of the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit confirmed that the document was an updated overarching prosecution and enforcement policy, with tracked changes identifying proposed amendments. It was explained that the policy operated as an umbrella framework, supported by detailed service-specific enforcement policies, and provided guidance on prosecutorial considerations and the range of enforcement activities undertaken by the Council.

The report was seconded by Councillor Andrea Pellegram, who welcomed the proposed changes to the enforcement policy. She highlighted the emphasis on early negotiation and the application of the public interest test, noting that this provided an appropriate and proportionate approach to enforcement. Drawing on her experience in planning and licensing, she commended the report and expressed her support for its adoption.

Councillor Mike Evemy noted that the public interest test was an important consideration, as it ensured enforcement action was proportionate and that informal resolution was pursued where possible before formal or legal measures were taken.