Agenda item

Report to follow

James Doe presented the report.

-17 indicators on Planning and Performance report – 9 at green, 2 at amber and 3 at red, the rest are for information.

-Currently just under £40,000 below target income, hit target in September, exceeded target in October and on track to meet them for November.

-Land Charges income suffering from reduction in business from processing searches etc

-Enforcement workload constantly rising, little down on one of the indicators.

-Appeals performance cause to flag for a little concern as has dipped under 70% target.

Cllr Birnie said that he had not had time to read the report since it came in at the last minute and said that when the committee has turned down an item it goes to appeal it seems the member concerned is automatically asked to write a defence of the reasons it was turned down for the officer, and he would like a protocol established for this which he had already discussed with P Newton.

J Doe responded that he had noted this.

Cllr Matthews asked that out of the cases heard how many resulted in costs being awarded against the council.

J Doe said that he was not aware of any costs being awarded.

Cllr Anderson pointed out that the cost of officer time should be considered.

Cllr Riddick said that he believed that the majority of appeals go beyond 8 weeks.  He expressed his concern over Runways Farm (item 14) because was a 3 day Public Enquiry, and a complex situation and the Planning Officer delivered his full report in 14 days and he    is unhappy about that as he feels it is unrealistic.

J Doe addressed the Chairman and said that it was not something he could really comment on as it is a matter for the Planning Inspectorate, but Inspectors have different workloads some busier than others and some cases take longer to get to enquiry or to a written representation decision but it is not in our hands at that point.

Cllr Anderson said that it would not be a matter for this committee but if anyone felt it was in the Public interest they could challenge it.

J Doe explained that there is a 6 week window for an application for judicial review after the decision is issued and it can only be challenged on a point of law or procedure.

Cllr Hicks asked that if it was a planning application for less than 10 houses, even if we lose are there no costs against us.

J Doe responded that the issue of costs could apply to any planning appeal but they do tend to be on the larger applications.

Cllr Birnie asked if in this quarter we have not turned down any major proposals that have gone to appeal.

J Doe said that this was not in the report but he believed that was correct.

Cllr Fisher asked about the increase in enforcement cases and whether it indicated a change in people’s behaviour or vigilance.

J Doe explained that research was probably needed to give an evidential response, but he thought it was probably a combination of the two.

Cllr Riddick said that although the team are superb but going from 400 to 600 cases indicated that we really need more staff.

J Doe agreed and said that an increase in resources into the department from the rise in planning fees has been dedicated to a number of different officers across planning including a new team leader post in Enforcement.

Cllr Anderson asked if the Committee would support and this was seconded and agreed.