Issue - meetings

The Planning Advisory Service (under the aegis of the Local Government Association) facilitated a Planning Improvement Peer Challenge in September2017.  The Peer Review report is attached at Annexe 1.  This report sets out the management response to the findings of this review, set out in Annexe 2.  The action plan at Annexe 2 was adopted by the Planning Committee on 13 November 2017 with the exception of those items under section 4 of the plan that fall for consideration and adoption by this committee.

The Committee:-

(1)            Agreed those actions listed under Section 4 of the Epsom & Ewell Planning Improvement Action Plan 2017.

(2)            Noted and endorsed the establishment of a Working Group by the Planning Committee to oversee the implementation of the Plan comprising the Chair of Planning Committee, Chair of Licensing and Planning Committee, Chair of Audit, Crime and Disorder and Scrutiny Committee, the Chief Executive, the Head of Place Development and one additional Member who is not on either of the planning-related committees.

Note:  Councillors Rob Geleit and Tina Mountain requested that their objection to recommendation 2, be recorded.

Following a Planning Improvement Peer Challenge in September 2017, the Committee were asked to consider the management response to the findings set out in the review associated with Planning Policy recommendations.

The eight items set out under section 4 of key themes were discussed and it was noted that the second item the submission of an interim policy on Affordable Housing on ten units or less had been completed and setting up of Members Briefing evenings in order to develop a stronger corporate narrative around the need for growth was well underway, and to encourage attendance, it was requested that as much notice as possible be given to Members.

Accordingly, the Committee:-

(1)            Agreed those actions listed under Section 4 of the Epsom & Ewell Planning Improvement Action Plan 2017.

(2)            Noted and endorsed the establishment of a Working Group by the Planning Committee to oversee the implementation of the Plan comprising the Chair of Planning Committee, Chair of Licensing and Planning Committee, Chair of Audit, Crime and Disorder and Scrutiny Committee, the Chief Executive, the Head of Place Development and one additional Member who is not on either of the planning-related committees.

Note:  Councillors Rob Geleit and Tina Mountain requested that their objection to recommendation 2, be recorded.