Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance Framework

The EPA operates a Local Authority Performance Framework to coordinate and focus the work of the city and county councils to achieve consistent high performance throughout the country. 

We are currently reviewing our Performance Framework to assist local councils to implement ongoing improvements in their environmental enforcement activities.   

Local and national comparative data provided by the EPA enables each local authority to benchmark their own enforcement processes and plan performance improvements.  

How the Framework operates 

The Framework consists of selected enforcement indicators called Performance Indicators in important enforcement areas, for example waste, air and water quality. It also looks at other key data including staffing levels in enforcement teams. 

Enforcement plans 

Each year, local authorities develop enforcement plans to focus resources where they are needed most, based on agreed national priorities. Activities are planned based on the risk posed to the environment and these national and local priorities. 

Read our latest reports 

At the end of the year, each local authority submits data on their completed activities and information on notable achievements during the year.  The EPA publishes regular reports on the outcomes of these activities by all the local authorities around the country.