Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllrs Beacham, Gunes and Patterson. Cllr McShane substituted.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June.

RESOLVED

·         That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June be approved as an accurate record.

Cllr Bevan expressed concern regarding the cigarette marketing units in place at large concerts in Finsbury Park and asked for feedback on whether the Licensing Team could prohibited them as part of the licence process for future events.

To seek approval for a variation to the membership of Planning Sub Committee and Licensing Sub Committee A for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval for a variation to the membership of the Planning and Licensing Sub A Committees for the remainder of the 2014/15 municipal year. The change proposed to the Planning and Licensing Committee membership agreed at Regulatory Committee on 12 June consisted of Cllrs Sahota and Stennett coming off Planning Committee and Cllr Stennett replacing Cllr Patterson on Licensing Sub Committee A.

The Chair highlighted that not all Regulatory Committee members had undergone licensing training in order to be able to substitute at Licensing Committee meetings. It was asked that an additional training session be arranged as soon as possible.

RESOLVED

·         That the proposed revised membership of the Planning and Licensing Sub A Committees be approved for the remainder of the municipal year.  

To advise on the performance of Development Management for the first quarter of 2014/15.

The Committee considered a report on the performance of the Development Management service for the first quarter of 2014/15.

Corporate targets were being comfortably achieved, including the percentage of major and minor applications decided on time. This was set within the context of an increase in the number of applications received, 16% up on last year and reflecting greater confidence in the economy. The Council was therefore outside of the criteria used by the government to designate under performing local authorities based on speed and quality of decisions.

Two internal audits had been undertaken within the Planning Service looking at Certificates of Lawfulness and the Planning Service in the round and had identified a number of recommendations for improvements, particularly around enforcement. It was confirmed that an enforcement workshop would be held with Members in the autumn to review priority categories and which would feed into the refresh of the enforcement policy. Members would be advised of the date once it was confirmed.

The Committee expressed concern regarding the increasing number of applications and the capacity and resilience of the service to manage this, particularly in recognition of ongoing regeneration in the east of the borough. It was advised that the focussing of resources remained a key approach going forward including maintaining a list of applications in the pipelines and the use of planning performance agreements. The increase in applications had primarily been seen from the domestic and small business sectors for small alternations to buildings and changes to permitted development procedures.

RESOLVED

·         That the report be noted.

To advise on the performance of Planning Enforcement in 2013/14.

The Committee considered a report on the annual performance of the Planning Enforcement Service for 2013/14.

The live caseload of the service and number of requests for investigations had seen a significant increase on previous years, with a commensurate increase in enforcement notices issued and appeals determined. A relative decline had been seen in planning enforcement appeal performance, the reasons for which had been reviewed to identify any learning points, particularly where there was an element of judgement in the grounds for appeal.

Going forward, the service would be trying to reduce the number of non-cases coming forward through providing early advice and education, as currently around 50% of investigations were closed due to lack of a case. The management of the team would also be reviewed to look at the potential for structuring it around specialisms e.g. HMO enforcement etc.

Future conversations would be scheduled with Members regarding the use of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) in planning enforcement going forward, in particular, opportunities around sub-standard accommodation. The POCA remained an effective enforcement tool, with work underway to secure an in-house POCA resource to change the charging regime for perpetrators to improve cost recovery for the Council from breaches.

In response to a question regarding the staffing of the enforcement team, it was acknowledged that the team was currently in transition, with a review planned of the structure, job descriptions etc. Recruiting to roles in this area remained a London wide challenge, with the result that some agency staffing had to be utilised. An approach would also be developed to grow talent within the organisation, potentially linking in with the graduate training scheme.

RESOLVED

·         That the report be noted.

To advise on the performance of Planning Enforcement and appeals in quarter one of 2014/15.

The Committee considered an update report on Planning Enforcement and Appeals quarter one performance.

The Committee queried the direct future action proposed for the 452 St Anns Road case. It was advised that consideration was being given to engaging a contractor to directly remove the signs in question. Going forward, the service would look to develop expertise within the Council to undertake this direct action in the future, potentially through the Single Frontline service, as part of the integration of the enforcement function. Cllr Bevan suggested that Homes for Haringey might also be able to play a role in this regard.

RESOLVED

·         That the report be noted.

The next meeting is scheduled for 9 December.

The next meeting was scheduled for 9 December.