Stoke-on-Trent in western England has been dubbed “Smoke-on-Trent” as cigarette addicts can spark up knowing that bureaucrats cannot impose the £50 (BD38) on-the-spot fine.

The local authority failed to get enforcement powers in time for July 1, when England joined the rest of the UK in banning smoking in enclosed public spaces.

Enforcement

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, ranked among the worst local authorities in England and Wales by the Audit Commission, cannot enforce the ban until councillors formally approve it at an August 2 meeting.

In a classic bureaucratic bungle, council bosses thought the powers were delegated to a department head.

“We don’t have enforcement powers because Stoke has both a mayor and a council manager,” explained a council spokesman.

“We thought enforcement powers were delegated to the director of community services – but they weren’t.”

Taken from: www.gulf-daily-news.com