Issue - meetings

The Chair will consider any items of urgent business.

The Committee Services Manager advised that there were no additional items of urgent business notified.

The Chair referred to the agenda item in relation to the Localism Bill, in the Forum part of the proceedings and the concerns expressed by Members at the lack of attendance by the Planning Service – to speak on the implications of the Localism Act on the existing planning legislation.

The Chair advised the Committee that it was her intention to write to the Planning Service to express these concerns at the lack of attendance. Councillor Allison commented on the progress in Highgate Ward with cross-borough co-operation with LB Camden and Camden’s efforts to progress and advise of implications of the Localism Act – and planning issues – with attendance at the recent focus group by Camden’s Cabinet Member for planning, and their senior planner in respect of the establishment of Neighbourhood Forums. Councillor Allison added that there had been a lack of information or forward thinking on LB Haringey’s part and that despite numerous enquiries and seeking clarification the response had been that Haringey was ‘thinking about it’.  Councillor Allison also advised of the good working relationship and cross-boundary co-operation between Councillors of Camden and Haringey, albeit bellied by the lack of information or support from Haringey.  She stressed that this was an important issue and there needed to be some progress on Haringey’s part or else Camden would be taking the lead.

Following the Committee’s collective concerns echoing those of the Chair and Councillor Allison, it was agreed that the Chair and Councillor Allison would jointly draft a letter to be sent to the Chief Executive, and the Director of Place and Sustainability.  In response to comments of Councillor Solomon the Chair advised that in respect of cross-borough meetings with LB Barnet it would be for the Alexandra Ward Councillors to progress this and make contact etc with their Barnet counterparts and that when the letter from the Chair and Cllr Alison received a reply it should inform the situation for all cross-border collaborations.

The Chair then summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

that the Chair and Councillor Allison jointly draft a letter to be sent to the Chief Executive, and the Director of Place and Sustainability expressing  concerns  at the lack of attendance by the Planning Service – to speak on the implications of the Localism Act on the existing planning legislation, and the lack of forthcoming information as to LB Haringey’s intentions in relation to the those implications, as well as the issue of cross-borough working particularly in terms of planning enforcement, and Neighbourhood Forums.