50% of Cafes Operating Without Proper Permits: Audit Report Exposes Violations

A significant percentage of violations has been identified by the audits conducted regarding public health establishments. The Audit Office published a report assessing how effectively municipalities monitor the compliance of businesses that have obtained permits to use public space for outdoor seating titled: “Are Municipalities Effectively Monitoring the Use of Public Space by Health Establishments for Outdoor Seating?” The audit was carried out in 14 municipalities with on-site inspections at 476 establishments. Key findings include: 237 establishments (50%) were occupying public space without permits, 129 establishments (27%) were exceeding their permit allowances, and overall, there is a 77% violation rate. Current control mechanisms employed by municipalities are not effectively preserving public spaces due to outdated regulations, lack of unified electronic records, insufficient oversight during permit issuance, ineffective inspection protocols, inadequate citizen awareness systems, and poor enforcement of penalties. The Audit Office recommends updating regulatory decisions, maintaining an up-to-date registry of permits, conducting thorough site visits during permit issuance, scheduling regular inspections based on risk assessments, ensuring public awareness through initiatives like the ‘mystreet’ app, developing clear inspection manuals, and enforcing penalties swiftly and effectively.