Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Legal Services to update the Planning Committee on the outcome of Planning Enforcement prosecutions from 1 March 2010 to 31 May 2010 and ongoing cases. These represent referrals from the Planning Enforcement Department to the Corporate Legal Service.

The Committee considered a report on the outcome of Planning Enforcement prosecutions from 1 March 2010 to 31 May 2010 and ongoing cases. It was clarified that the report covered those cases where a summons had been issued.

Cllr McNamara entered the meeting at 19:20hrs.

In response to a question from the Committee regarding whether referrals to the Corporate Legal Service were affected by budgetary constraints, it was reported that budgets were monitored closely on a monthly basis with the Legal Service to avoid unforeseen costs. The Assistant Director, Planning and Regeneration, confirmed that enforcement action was not affected by budgetary constraints, but that staffing levels did have an impact. The Committee asked whether prosecutions were cost neutral, in response to which it was reported that most costs were recovered but that it was not entirely cost neutral to prosecute.

It was agreed that the Assistant Director, Planning and Regeneration, would provide information on the costs recovered during 2009/10 to Cllr Schmitz, as requested.  

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted.