Buckinghamshire Council Land Drainage Enforcement Policy

The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 requires local authorities exercising regulatory functions to exercise these in accordance with statutory principles and in accordance with the Regulators' Code 2014. Environmental enforcement functions are included within the regulatory functions covered by this legislation.

The regulatory principles state:

• regulatory activities should be carried out in a way which is transparent, accountable, proportionate and consistent
• regulatory activities should be targeted only at cases in which action is needed

The Regulators' Code requires that local authorities consider the following principles when setting policy and operational procedures:

• regulators should carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow
• regulators should provide simple and straightforward ways to engage with those they regulate and hear their views
• regulators should base their regulatory activities on risk
• regulators should share information about compliance and risk
• regulators should ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply
• regulators should ensure that their approach to their regulatory activities is transparent
• the council has taken account of these principles when formulating its policy