Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/126

Contact: Richard Webb, Acting Head of Trading Standards & Community Safety Tel: (01865) 815791

Report by Director for Social & Community Services (CMDSSC4).

There are age restrictions on the sale of certain products which help to protect the health and well-being of young people, protect the environment and improve community safety.

Section 5 of the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 requires local authorities to consider annually the appropriateness of a programme of enforcement actions to prevent sales of tobacco and cigarettes to persons under 18 years of age.

The anti-social behaviour and fear from crime caused by underage drinking and inappropriate use of fireworks, together with the other legal enforcement duties associated with restricting the availability of other goods, makes it appropriate to consider the enforcement strategy relating to all age restricted products when formulating an underage sales enforcement plan.

This report highlights action taken by the Trading Standards Service during 2011/12 to prevent the illegal sale of age restricted products. The report provides the opportunity to discuss and adapt the work of the Trading Standards Service in relation to preventing sales of age restricted products. The report is also necessary to ensure that the Council is meeting its responsibilities under the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991. It may be necessary to demonstrate that this procedural requirement is being met in the event that formal action is taken in respect of an illegal sale.

The Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities is RECOMMENDED to give her approval for the Trading Standards Service to continue to enforce the legislation controlling the supply of age restricted products on the basis set out in the report.

To:

(a)               approve the continuation of the practice of enforcement of the legislation controlling the supply of age restricted products, on the basis as set out in the report; and

(b)               thank the Trading Standards and Community Safety Manager, his staff and the voluntary workers for all their hard work in implementing the enforcement of age restricted products.