Issue details

Formal Enforcement Action (January to December 2025), new single use vape and renters rights enforcement provisions

Purpose of Report:
1. In accordance with the City of York Council Enforcement Policy, the purpose of this report is to enable the Executive Members to review the formal enforcement action undertaken by:-
• Public Protection (Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing teams).
• National Trading Standards Regional Investigation and eCrime teams
• Healthy and Sustainable Homes Service
2. The report also asks the Executive Member to consider approving new ‘fixed monetary penalty notices’ and other ‘compliance notice’ provisions as ‘formal enforcement action’ to help tackle the sale of illegal single use vapes and protect renters rights.

The Executive Member will be asked to note the enforcement action undertaken by Public Protection, the National Trading Standards teams, and the Healthy and Sustainable Homes Service. Approve the use of fixed monetary penalty notices and the other enforcement provisions in relation to single use vapes. Approve the use of fixed penalty notices and the other enforcement provisions in relation to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Housing Act 1988, Housing Act 2004, Housing and Planning Act 2016, The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, and The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025, in line with the new Housing Civil Penalties for offences on or after 1 May 2027.

Background information
City of York Council Enforcement Policy
https://www.york.gov.uk/business-licences/enforcement-policies-1

Decision type: Non-key

Decision status: For Determination

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/03/2026

Decision due: 14/04/26 by Decision Session - Combined Executive Member Decision Session

Lead member: Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities

Lead director: Director of Transport, Environment and Planning

Department: Directorate of Transport, Environment and Planning

Contact: Matthew Boxall, Head of Public Protection Email: matthew.boxall@york.gov.uk / Email: Anthony.dean@york.gov.uk Email: matthew.boxall@york.gov.uk, Anthony Dean, Principal Enviromental Protection Officer Email: anthony.dean@york.gov.uk.

Consultation process

Vapes – CYC consultation between 9 September 2025 and 9 October 2025.

Consultees:
General public, vapes retailers also visited by officers and encouraged to participate.

Equality Impact Assessment Completed?: Yes – for the enforcement Policy update (2024)

 

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