The
Chairman welcomed Claire Cutts, the newly appointed Planning
Enforcement Team Leader, to her first meeting of the
Committee.
The
Committee then considered the Planning Enforcement Tracker report
setting out details of the current status of enforcement cases
where formal notices had been served.
The
Senior Planning Enforcement Officer advised the Committee that
during the last quarter 133 enforcement cases had been received; 96
cases had been closed and 30 cases were still within the 10 day
priority 2 Key Performance Indicator leaving 7 cases in three
months which had not been closed probably because planning
applications were awaited.
During
the discussion, it was pointed out that the Tracker demonstrated
the sheer scope and activity of the Planning Enforcement
Service. Reference was made to the
importance of communication between Members and the Planning
Enforcement Team. It was suggested that
greater emphasis should be placed on compliance with landscaping
conditions, including the replacement of any trees or plants which
fail within the specified period, and that there was a need to be
proactive in the approach to ensuring that the paving of gardens in
urban areas complies with planning regulations. Specific reference was made to the need for a two
pronged strategy of education and enforcement, and the Chairman
undertook to consider, in consultation with the Vice-Chairman and
the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Strategic Planning,
Sustainability and Transportation Committee, how this might be
taken forward.
RESOLVED: That the
report be noted.