Issue - meetings

Item OS 22/32 (1) referred from Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 October 2022.

Consideration of recommendation OS 22/32 (1) from the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 October 2022.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan (as attached at Annex 1 to the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and the associated activity and timescales (as set out in 1.2 and 1.3 of the report) be approved, subject to:

·             the amendment of paragraph 6.10 of the Planning  Enforcement Plan by the addition of the words ‘once served, the enforcement notice is entered onto the Local Land Charges Register and will remain on the register until the notice is withdrawn or any subsequent appeal is dismissed by the Planning Inspector’

Decision Notice D220101CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 6 October 2022 (as set out at Minute Number OS 22/32).

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan (as attached at Annex 1 to the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and the associated activity and timescales (as set out in 1.2 and 1.3 of the report) be approved, subject to:

·             the amendment of paragraph 6.10 of the Planning  Enforcement Plan by the addition of the words ‘once served, the enforcement notice is entered onto the Local Land Charges Register and will remain on the register until the notice is withdrawn or any subsequent appeal is dismissed by the Planning Inspector’

Item OS 22/32 (2) and (3) in respect of resourcing options, budget growth and fees and charges related to traveller and gypsy incursions referred from Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 October 2022 is ‘to follow’.

These recommendations will be circulated as soon as possible.

Item OS 22/32 (2) and (3) referred from Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 October 2022

RESOLVED: That

(1)             the budget growth required to fund staffing proposals in respect of planning enforcement be supported;

(2)             the hybrid proposal for staffing arrangements, as detailed in section 1.4.10 of the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be commended to General Purposes for approval*; and

(3)             an increase in fees charged for activity relating to traveller incursions on Parish/Town Council or Leisure Trust land (as set out in 1.4 of the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) be considered as part of the budget setting process and the fees be regularly reviewed to ensure that realistic annual uplifts are applied.

*Referred to General Purposes Committee

Following a review of enforcement, a revised version of the Enforcement Plan was presented for consideration.

(Note:  Annex 3 is restricted as it contains confidential information related to salaries)

Following a service review of planning enforcement the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health invited consideration of an updated version of the Planning Enforcement Plan (as attached at Annex 1 to the report).  A PowerPoint presentation was provided in respect of the Planning Enforcement Tracker tool which will ensure Members can access real time information about updates on enforcement cases.

A number of key changes were detailed in the report and included moving the prioritisation table to its own section within the Plan, ensuring activity and target timescales were ‘fit for purpose’ and options to improve communication with stakeholders and managing their expectations.

Members’ attention was drawn to the work undertaken in respect of short term unauthorised traveller encampments on Borough Council, Parish/Town Council and Leisure Trust land and the Committee was advised that, if the service was to continue to be offered, the Borough Council would need to seek cost recovery and increase fees.

Members were advised that, as a result of the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan, the digital improvements detailed in the report and the number of cases received each year, it was necessary to consider what staffing arrangements were required.  Careful consideration was given to the options set out at 1.4.7 to 1.4.10 of the report together with the financial considerations at section 1.6 and the risk assessment at section 1.7. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             subject to the amendment of paragraph 6.10 of the Planning Enforcement Plan by the addition of the words “Once served, the enforcement notice is entered onto the Local Land Charges Register and will remain on the register until the notice is withdrawn or any subsequent appeal is dismissed by the Planning Inspector” the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan (as attached at Annex 1 to the report) and the associated activity and timescales (as set out in 1.2 and 1.3 of the report) be recommended to Cabinet for implementation;

* Referred to Cabinet

(2)             (i) the budget growth required to fund staffing proposals in respect of planning enforcement be supported; and

           (ii)  the hybrid proposal for staffing arrangements, as detailed in section 1.4.10 of the report, be commended to the General Purposes Committee for approval;

* Referred to Council

(3)       an increase in fees charged for activity relating to traveller incursions on Parish or Town Council or Leisure Trust land (as set out in 1.4 of the report) be considered by Council as part of the budget setting process and that the fees be regularly reviewed to ensure that realistic annual uplifts in fees are applied.

          * Referred to Council