Cumberland Council officers have been taking to city/town centres across Cumberland as part of Operation Impact, a coordinated initiative supporting responsible businesses, identifying compliance issues and taking action where standards are not being met.
The operation brings together officers from Environmental Crime, Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Health and Planning Services, creating a visible presence in commercial areas and allowing different council services to work together to identify issues and respond appropriately.
Activity has already taken place in Whitehaven, Workington, and Carlisle. Across the three locations, officers have identified issues including unauthorised signage and window coverings, waste compliance concerns, food safety matters and other regulatory issues requiring follow-up.
The approach combines advice and education with enforcement where required. It also allows officers to gather intelligence about emerging issues and helps the council target future activity where it can have the greatest impact.
In Whitehaven, officers visited 23 businesses, identifying 11 planning-related issues and nine waste compliance issues, as well as one food safety matter. Eight businesses visited had no issues identified. Three issues were resolved at the time of the visits, with a further issue subsequently resolved
Operation Impact then moved to Workington, where 28 businesses were visited.
Officers identified 11 planning-related issues and seven waste compliance issues. Twelve businesses had no issues identified, while four matters were resolved at the time of the visits. Two premises were closed when officers attended and require a revisit.
Operation Impact then continued in Carlisle, where officers visited 23 businesses in Botchergate. Nine planning-related issues and six waste compliance issues were identified. Eight businesses had no issues identified, with matters requiring further action now being followed up.
Operation Impact does not end when officers leave an area.
Businesses are given advice and an opportunity to address issues where appropriate, while matters requiring further action are followed up. Intelligence gathered during the visits also helps the council identify emerging issues and target future compliance and enforcement activity where it can have the greatest impact.
The council’s approach is firm but fair: recognising businesses operating responsibly, providing advice and guidance where improvements are needed, and taking appropriate action where standards are not being met.
Operation Impact will not stop with Whitehaven, Workington and Carlisle. Further areas across Cumberland can expect to see coordinated council activity as the initiative continues.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Most businesses across Cumberland work hard, follow the rules and make a really positive contribution to their communities, and we want to support them.
“But we will not tolerate environmental crime, poor waste practices, breaches of regulations or businesses ignoring their responsibilities. Where standards are not being met, we will take action.
“Operation Impact is about getting our officers out on the ground, identifying problems early and bringing different council services together so we can deal with issues effectively.
“Whitehaven, Workington and Carlisle have seen Operation Impact in action, and we are not stopping there. We will be taking action in a town near you soon.
“Our message is simple: if you are doing the right thing, you have nothing to worry about. If you are not, now is the time to put it right.”
Operation Impact will continue across Cumberland, with further locations considered based on intelligence and areas where coordinated activity can make the greatest difference.
