Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability to inform Members on Planning Enforcement’s progress in maintaining service delivery 2011/12.

The Committee considered the Planning Enforcement update for the first three quarters of 2011/12, April to December 2011 inclusive, as presented by Myles Joyce, Planning Enforcement Team Leader.

The following points were raised during discussion and questions from the Committee:

• The Committee asked how the team were notified of breaches, in response to which Mr Joyce advised that many were via neighbours or Councillors, but also other services and Council departments, private sector contractors and housing referrals, etc. Members suggested that there should be more public encouragement for residents to report any breaches they were aware of.
• It was felt that a headline news story should be issued whenever the Council secured a conviction in respect of Planning Enforcement, and it was confirmed that the press office were notified of all such cases.
• Mr Joyce confirmed that all aspects of reporting a breach could be undertaken anonymously, with the exception of giving evidence if a case went to court. Members of the public cold also make a report via a local Councillor, or a Planning Enforcement officer in order to remain anonymous. It was felt that this should be more widely publicised.

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted.