Issue - meetings

This report presents the Committee with its annual Work Programme.

The Committee received a report presenting the annual Work Programme.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Planning Enforcement. The Chair informed the Committee that a scrutiny item on Planning Enforcement has been raised by a Member. The Chair thanked the Member for the document they had provided. The Chair explained that the Council’s Planning Enforcement has been the subject of an Internal Audit, which detailed several follow up management actions which are being progressed by the Planning Enforcement Team. The Chair invited the Member to work with the Scrutiny Officer and Legal Officer, to determine exactly what they wish to get out of the scrutiny piece suggested. The Chair highlighted that there are questions that can be answered by the Internal Audit report and Officers, without need for a scrutiny piece to get that clarification. The Chair explained that there are resource constraints, which must be taken into account. The Member who raised the scrutiny item, expressed their frustration and disappointment that it would not be able to be added to the workplan at the Committee Meeting, and asked for a date to be provided as to when further scrutiny can take place on Planning Enforcement.

b)            Ongoing enforcement cases. A Member of the Committee raised that they have ongoing enforcement cases which they have not received updated information on. The Member raised their concerns over the length of time it has been since the issue was first raised with Officers, and the lack of resolution reached. The Chair noted the comments and agreed that clarification and answers would be sought following the meeting.

c)            Solution. A Member of the Committee raised that it is already known, due to the findings of the Internal Audit report, why there are issues with Planning Enforcement, and it is due to resource constraints. The Member continued to ask what the solution is to see an improvement in performance in Planning Enforcement, if it isn’t further scrutiny. The Chair responded to explain that the Committee receives performance and Internal Audit update reports, which provide regular updates and further answers for no assurance items. The Chair stated that one solution could be to allocate extra resource to Planning Enforcement. The Chair continued to explain that a scrutiny piece may not be necessary for answers to be provided, and progress to be made. The Chair committed to continuing conversations regarding Planning Enforcement and potential scrutiny with Members, outside of the Committee Meeting. The Chair informed the Committee that if all questions regarding Planning Enforcement could not be answered by Internal Audit or Officers, then the work programme will be looked at, to find an appropriate place, for a scrutiny piece to be added.

d)            Policy Committee. A Member of the Committee asked which Policy Committee could concerns and questions regarding the allocation of resources to Planning Enforcement be raised with. The Chair informed the Committee that it is the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee who will be responsible for the agreeing the Budget regarding Planning Enforcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34