Issue - meetings

ES19080 DRR

Members noted the report which briefed them regarding a wide range of planning cases.

The Head of Planning and the Development Support Team attended to present the report and answer questions. He explained that the Planning Enforcement Team was responsible for investigating different types of breaches of planning control across the Borough. He expressed the view that progress had been made in reaching the projected enforcement targets as detailed in the Portfolio Plan.

Members heard that there had been a steady increase in the amount of enquiries received over the last couple of years—this was mainly in the area of ‘Operational Development’. Members were interested to note that between April and October 2019, the Planning Department had received an additional 516 new cases to deal with. At the time of the meeting, there were 580 cases either under investigation or pending consideration.

The Head of Planning and the Development Support Team highlighted that administrative procedures had been strengthened and now all cases were recorded.

The Committee was pleased to note section 3.18 of the report which highlighted intended improvements in the process by which officers would report back to Members. A new bi-monthly or quarterly report was intended which would detail all enforcement cases by Ward. This would mean that going forward, Ward Members would be able to completely understand what was occurring in their respective wards.

Members were concerned to note that a member of the Planning team had retired and another was on maternity leave. This meant that the number of full time staff dealing with cases had reduced to three. It had been difficult to recruit temporary agency staff and so two members of staff had been seconded to help out. Members agreed that it was important that the team should be working with a compliment of 5 full time staff.

RESOLVED that the Planning Enforcement Progress and Monitoring Report is noted.