Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion). To note and approve the 2011/12 Annual Monitoring Report, which forms part of the Haringey Local Plan and is used to assess the performance of the Council’s planning policies.

Please note that due to its size Appendix 2 has not been included within the main agenda pack. This document is available online and has been circulated in hard copy to Cabinet Members. Hard copies are also available on request.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which sought approval of the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). This formed part of the Haringey Local Plan and was used to assess the performance of the Council’s planning policies and plan for the borough.

There was discussion with regard to the role of the Council’s Design Panel and the measures in place to foster and monitor good design. It was noted that the Director of Place and Sustainability had commissioned a review of the Design Panel’s work. A report would be produced setting out the findings of the review, which would be put to Design Panel for discussion and agreement on any actions.

It was noted that a number of measures had been taken to accelerate the speed with which major applications were processed and these included a restructuring the service to create a dedicated team to deal with major applications. Although the measures had been effective and progress was being made in this area, it was recognised that further improvement was required.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Monitoring Plan be noted and approved.

Alternative Options Considered

Local Planning Authorities can now decide the frequency and format of their monitoring reports. The current format of the annual monitoring process is the most effective way of presenting outcomes and achievements of the planning service in Haringey. As such, no other options were considered; however, consultation had been given to extending the reporting period from twelve to eighteen months to provide rolling monitoring information and a more complete picture. Hence this year’s AMR also contains information from the first six months of 2012/13 financial year.

Reasons for Decision

The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is part of the Haringey Local Plan and is used to assess the performance of the Council’s planning policies and plan for the borough. Monitoring is a key part of plan-making.

Councillor Strickland left the meeting at 7.10pm.