Martin Ford 23 October 2020

Councils gain COVID enforcement powers

Councils are to gain new powers to issue businesses with improvement notices and close premises if they breach coronavirus restrictions.

Health secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons the Government will work on detailed proposals with councils in the coming days.

He said the aim was to create ‘stronger regulations to give local authorities further powers to take action’.

Mr Hancock added: ‘The proposals we will bring forward will mean councils will be able to act without delay and use closure notices to shut premises on public health grounds, to help suppress the virus.’

Councils currently have to resort to general health and safety legislation in order to take action against businesses flouting COVID-19 restrictions.

Individual councils have appealed for powers to issue fixed penalty notices, currently only available to the police, while the Local Government Association previously asked for compliance with social distancing measures to be included in licensing laws as a temporary measure.

Chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: ‘Ensuring councils have a range of tools at their disposal will allow them to work quickly to help suppress the virus in their communities and take action before it is too late.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Ripon, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Bradley, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner