Issue - meetings

Report DRR19/033

Members received an update on the progress of cases:-

-  currently under investigation/pending consideration;

-  at the appeal stage;

-  awaiting compliance period;

-  where enforcement action had been instigated;

-  awaiting prosecution action;

-  where enforcement action had been authorised; and

-  currently with the legal department awaiting further action.

The report also included a full breakdown on the range of current complaints.  As this contained confidential information, it was considered under the part 2 (not for publication) section of the agenda (Item 23).

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report DRR19/033

The Development Control Manager (Appeals and Planning Investigation) briefed the Committee regarding historic staffing issues and current staffing levels. With the additional provision of two full time temporary investigating officers, it had been possible to maintain current outstanding cases within target levels. It was hoped that at least one of the temporary positions could be upgraded to a full time contract.

A Member was pleased to note the increased enforcement of untidy site notices. Attention was drawn to section 3.9 of the report which referred to ‘Operational Development’, and the Chairman asked for an explanation of what this meant. Operational Developments were immune from enforcement activity if enforcement action was not taken within 4 years.  The definition of ‘Operational Development’ was where operations were stated to result in some physical alteration to the land itself, as opposed to material changes of use which did not interfere with the actual physical characteristics of land.

A Member referenced case number 21 in the list of enforcement notices issued, and asked what ‘commer’meant; it was clarified that this was an abbreviation for ‘commercial’.

A Member queried why the Part 1 document which showed the list of enforcement notices issued over the last 12 months was not in Part 2 as in many cases the site/individual could be identified. The Development Control Manager explained that this was because the notices issued were statutory and in the public domain. The document in part 2 was different as it was to do with cases currently under investigation or subject to an ongoing investigation.

The Chairman stated that there was much useful information in the report for Members. The Development Control Manager informed the Committee that he offered a Members’ surgery as required.

RESOLVED that the Planning Enforcement Progress and Monitoring Report for 2018-2019 is noted.