Agenda item

To consider a report on the work of the Planning Service in 2015.

The Committee considered the report on the review of the work of the Planning Service in 2015, presented by Emma Williamson, Head of Development Management. The report covered performance in respect of Development Management and Building Control, as well as updates on planning policy, Member development and challenges facing the Service. A separate planning appeals report also set out performance against appeals and details of individual appeal cases.

In response to a question from the Committee regarding the number of enforcement notices issued compared with the number of complaints received, and why this appeared so low, Ms Williamson advised that the level of enforcement notices issued had been fairly consistent, at around 100 per year. Stephen Kelly, Assistant Director, Planning, advised that around 60% of enforcement cases were resolved by agreement and that of the complaints received, some would not turn out to be breaches, some would be very minor and some would be resolved by means other than enforcement notices. It was clarified that each complaint related to an individual breach – multiple complaints relating to the same breach would still count as a single complaint.  Looking at the figures for the issuing of enforcement notices across the London boroughs, it was noted Haringey was performing relatively well, and the Committee felt that it was important to promote this. Ms Williamson advised that the Enforcement policy was something that the Committee should review later in the year, including a review of the indicators used in relation to enforcement policy to ensure that performance reports contained meaningful data and comparators.

The Committee asked whether there were plans for another Planning Conference, and it was confirmed that the Council had committed to holding this as an annual event and the next was planned for September 2016.

The Committee asked for more information about the protocol for assessment of viability in respect of affordable housing, as mentioned in the report. Mr Kelly advised that this was a cross-London project, aimed at establishing a new protocol for all London Boroughs and the GLA, and that Haringey had committed to engaging with this project. It was felt that having a consistent methodology across London would be a sensible way forward and it was hoped that consultation on this would be launched later in 2016. The Committee welcomed the Council’s proactive involvement in this work, and felt that this was also something that it would be good to promote. The Chair noted that information on positive performance in respect of affordability had been circulated to Members previously and that this could be repeated.

In response to a question from the Committee regarding the pre-application service and whether the Government would consider increasing the chargeable fee to cover the cost of offering the service, it was reported that the Council was making a case for an increase in fees to cover costs, but that it was unlikely that this would be agreed.

Cllr Mitchell requested that further details be provided to him outside the meeting regarding the appeal against the delegated decision in relation to the use of the site at 743-744 Lordship Lane as a mini cab office.

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted.

The Chair expressed the Committee’s thanks to the Planning Service for all their work during 2015.