(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)
The report sought approval for the adoption of a Planning Enforcement Section 215 Protocol intended to provide a clear and transparent framework in respect of how the Service would decide whether to take action to serve formal notices, in particular how sites would be assessed to establish whether such action was appropriate and proportionate and whether any other powers held by the Council should be called upon as an alternative. It was noted that, given the high number of complaints the enforcement team receive on such matters, the Protocol would ensure that Council financial and personnel resources were properly focused.
The request to amend paragraph 4.2 of the Protocol to emphasise liaison with Environmental Health on measures to address overgrown gardens and pest control, where appropriate, was noted.
Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:
The Planning Enforcement Section 215 Protocol, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be approved with effect from 1 September 2020.