Scarlet Pimpernell wrote:Are the council able to enforce conditions on a business unilaterally I believe this now falls under the Health and Safety executive. I know that due to cuts things were changed limiting automatic visit to sites in preference to only when a complaint is received usually from an employee. I believe this also applies now to the fire service for example.
As far as I'm aware the legislation with regards Covid gave the enforcement power to local authorities.But even prior to Covid,local authorities had the power to enforce a closure of a business due to unsafe working conditions etc....The point I'm sort of making is,it seems clear the working practices/conditions at these factories in Leicester have been going on well before Covid yet the local authority hasn't acted previously.
The report you directed me to makes recommendations to give more enforcement power to local authorities - but whats the point if they don't already use the powers they have.
Ive no doubt Leicester are on their own as a local authority not using the enforcement powers(across many areas) they have,for a whole variety of reasons.
Off topic,but a little closer to home with regards local authorities using enforcement powers and yes I'm being cynical here - The Wakefield stadium debacle at Newmarket,with regards the planning application i doubt very much WMDC used their enforcement powers as the local authority.
There is scandal after scandal with local authorities not using powers they have,in everything from planning to safety at work,unfortunately judgement too often clouded by self interest.