Government’s Focus on Enforcement campaign spotlights Coastal Activities

Published on 26/7/2012

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is asking anyone involved in making investments and running large projects on the coast to feed in their experiences, good and bad, of dealing with local and national regulators as part of the Focus on Enforcement campaign.

The review is calling on companies and individuals to respond by going online (http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/focusonenforcement) before 21 September and submitting their thoughts and ideas for improvement as part of the Coastal investments and projects theme.

The main focus will be on any barriers to growth arising when projects are affected by both land and sea-based regulation. The kinds of issues Government would be interested to hear from you about might include, but not be limited to:

• port and estuary development, including dredging;
• the interaction between nature conservation regimes and coastal projects.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: “The Government is keen to support the economic development of coastal communities and seaside towns, promoting sustainable economic growth and jobs, so that people are better able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities of their area.

“Dealing with the way regulations are enforced and the different processes for consents, licences and assessments can sometimes be a real issue for those who want to invest in coastal projects. That’s why I’m urging anyone involved in making investments and running large projects on the coast to visit the Focus on Enforcement website and let us know your views so that we can consider and take any necessary action.

“We know there are examples of good practice too, so we also want you to tell us on the website about the people who give really good advice and support. This is your chance to make a real difference to the way regulations are enforced.”

The campaign allows comments to be posted anonymously as well as ‘on the record’ and is also interested to learn of any evidence that third parties are implying that regulations require companies or individuals to take action when in fact the regulations do not require this.

The Focus on Enforcement website, for the first time, also provides details on national regulators in one place and on regulatory functions carried out by local authorities.

Join the conversation on Twitter using the #focusenforce.