Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to give formal endorsement amendments to the Planning Enforcement Plan, which was originally adopted in October 2019.

Due to members of the public being present, items 7.1 and 7.2 were moved forward on the agenda.

The Policy Overview Working Group considered the report prior to its submission to Cabinet, the purpose of the report was to give formal endorsement amendments to the Planning Enforcement Plan, which was originally adopted in October 2019.

In reference to Part 6 of the Planning Enforcement Plan sections 6.1 and 6.4 refer to anonymous complaints.  Previously, the Council had accepted anonymous enforcement complaints on a case-by-case basis. However, such complaints often lack specific detail, and if the complainant was unwilling to identify themselves or provide contact details, the Council was then unable to request any additional information from the complainant or to provide them with updates on the complaint. Additionally, there could be difficulties later in the process if the complainant was required to provide evidence, for example for court proceedings.

For these reasons, anonymous complaints were usually given a low priority in terms of investigation unless they involved works to a listed building, conservation area or involved a matter which may be a public safety issue.

It was proposed that moving forward, the Planning Enforcement Plan be amended so that anonymous complaints were no longer accepted, with the exceptions of works to a listed building, conservation area or where they involved a matter which may have been a public safety issue. Alternatively, complainants who declined to provide their full details would be encouraged to refer their complaint to their local Ward Member or Parish/Town Council who may then raise the concerns on their behalf.  This provideda mechanism for members of the public to complain about enforcement matters, and retain their anonymity.

It was agreed that the words ‘endeavour to’ be removed from section 9.1 in order to strengthen the Council’s commitment to the process, remove the words ‘limited resources’ from section 10.1 and replace with ‘prioritise in accordance with the seriousness of the alleged breach’, and to add a bracket into 8.1 to cross-reference that 8.4 contains information about retaining anonymity throughout the complaint. 

RESOLVED the amendments to the Planning Enforcement Plan, be approved.

Reason

The amendments will ensure that complaints are treated equally through the process.