Cabinet approves enhanced enforcement powers

Enforcement powers have been enhanced in the Caerphilly county borough, thanks to endorsement by the Council’s Cabinet.

During a meeting held on 5^th October, Cabinet members approved additional powers for officers within the Council’s Public Protection Division under the following Acts of Parliament, in order to enforce the legislation and carry out their duties in relation to the following:

• Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – this includes new legislative measures to control the sale of knives and corrosive products, and introduces new offences relating to their possession and use. The Act creates a new criminal offence of selling a corrosive product to a person under the age of 18.
• Medicine & Medical Devices Act 2021 – The Act has been substantially brought into effect to enable the issue of a number of enforcement notices to persons responsible for the marketing and supply of noncompliant Medical Devices.
• Energy Act 2011 – Regulations under the Act establish a minimum level of energy efficiency for rented property and are designed to tackle the least energy efficient i.e., those with an Energy Performance Certificate rating (EPC) of F or G. New powers will enable Trading Standards to take action in relation to non domestic rented properties.
• Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 – The Act puts an end to ground rents for most new long residential leasehold properties in England and Wales and will make home ownership fairer and more transparent for millions of future leaseholders.

Cllr Philippa Leonard, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection, said “These changes to the Council’s Constitution not only help us ensure we comply with statutory requirements, but also give our officers the authority they need to effectively enforce these powers for the protection of our residents.”