When we took control of Walsall Council a couple of years ago it soon became clear that the outgoing Conservative administration had allowed cutbacks to decimate whole swathes of the Council’s enforcement capability. This was having a devastating effect on issues such as empty properties, Housing standards, unauthorised traveler encampments, littering and fly tipping.

Since then we have made big strides to improve things. There is still a way to go yet and the continuing austerity measures by the Conservatives at Westminster mean that other priorities such as adult social care and children’s services together take the lions share of the budget.

At Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting I made the following comments in introducing the Council’s new Enforcement Policy:

If you wanted an example of how this administration’s approach differs from previous administrations then the way in which we have and are dealing with enforcement would be a good place to start.

Having a commitment to a proactive enforcement policy which sets out to protect the majority from the minority who think that they are in some way above the law either as individuals or as businesses has to be our priority. That commitment also has to be backed up by status and, within the constraints of the Conservative Government’s continuing austerity measures, the resources needed to be effective.

When the progressive alliance between Labour and ourselves (Lib Dems) took control of this council some two years ago , we found a fragmented enforcement system, depleted of staff and the status it needed to operate with confidence and authority. This administration has turned things round. There’s still more to do, there always is, but we are getting to where we want to be, and I would like to thank all those concerned for their dedication and hard work in getting us to where we are.

As you can see from the report, we have not been alone on this journey. As with all we do we look around us to see what value could be added by working with others. this Enforcement Policy has been developed between the four Black Country Authorities; Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley as part of the “Better Business for all Program”.

It provides a rational basis to guide the decision making process ensuring that decisions taken are appropriate, proportionate and rational based on sound evidence. Within the report you will see a wide range of regulatory services ranging from environmental health to unauthorised encampments, black cabs to gambling, scrap metal dealers to sex establishments. They are responsible for protecting peoples health, safety and wellbeing. The key to supporting all the objectives is a regime which balances support and enforcement.

From the business point of view it aims to provide advice and support to enable them to thrive and grow.

From the point of view of residents it recognises that communities thrive best when they can enjoy the highest standards from local amenities coupled with high levels of consumer protection.

The fact that all four Black Country Authorities have worked together on this recognises that businesses operate on a wider basis than a single authority. The policy is part of the wider Joint Black Country Regulators Operating Framework and ticks all the boxes from this Council’s Corporate Plan.

We have come a long way in a relatively short time. It would be devastating to see all the hard work that’s been put into recovering the council’s enforcement capability thrown away which would surely be the case should the Conservatives win at next Thursday’s Local Elections. Only you can prevent that from happening