Agenda item

Councillor Charlotte Morley, the Regulatory Portfolio Holder, reminded Members of the key functions covered by her Portfolio. She noted that, whilst she could address strategic issues, it would not be possible to discuss individual cases in the open part of the meeting.

In the course of discussion, the following issues were raised:

Enforcement - Members asked questions on enforcement arrangements and in particular in respect of:

(i)        The workload/extensive number of enforcements covered by one Enforcement Officer , including the number of  enforcement issues which were outstanding;

(ii)       The workload of the Council’s Arboricultural Officer;

(iii)      The way in which enforcement was prioritised for different types of enforcement;

(iv)      The training that officers received, particularly in respect of rural area issues;

(v)       The frequency with which the Enforcement Policy was reviewed and timescales for a review of the current policy; and

(vi)      Concerns that enforcement across the Borough was considered to be less than satisfactory.

Councillor Morley reminded Members that the Council had agreed a Local Enforcement Plan in September 2014, which reflected the resources agreed, as part of an earlier restructure. A further review was not proposed at this time.

The Local Enforcement Plan included a set of priorities for types of enforcement action, which reflected, at least in part, the resources available. As a result, the current approach sought to make best use of resources available, by seeking assistance from Corporate Enforcement Officers and the Contact Centre. Planning Officers were also key to enforcement processes. Councillor Morley agreed to explore the possibility of an increased role for the Contact Centre.

The Council recruited trained Planning Officers and gave them any necessary local familiarisation/training in both rural and urban areas, according to the needs of the individual officers. Planning Officers took professional qualifications and were mentored by senior officers. A newly introduced ICT package would enable access for planning/enforcement officers to Council systems whilst out on site.

The Council took enforcement action through the courts where appropriate and a number of current cases were in the judicial process already.

Councillor Morley noted that a number of the questions submitted in advance of the meeting had been specific and related to particular Council Wards. She reported that she would respond directly to these questions and urged Members to contact her on Ward specific issues.

Members expressed continued concerns over the performance of the enforcement function and it was proposed that the Executive be asked to review the resources for Planning enforcement, with a view to substantially improving this service.

Key Workers – A shortage of suitable key-worker housing had been identified in the Borough, with both Health and Social Care managers reporting severe difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.

Councillor Morley reported that Key Worker accommodation was being considered as part of the work of the Local Plan Working Group. The Working Group would report its findings to the Executive in due course.

Homelessness Reduction Bill – Recognising the potential impact of this emerging legislation, Members queried what steps the Council was proposing for homeless people and the challenges facing the Council in this respect.

Councillor Morley explained that the “Team around the Person Team” was working with individuals who were homeless, providing one-to-one assistance to enable them to engage with agencies which could help. This had proved such a success that the Homelessness Grant for 2017/18 would be used to continue its funding.

The Council had, so far, this year, provided 26 nights of accommodation for rough sleepers, because weather conditions had been so poor. Further support was being considered for the range of homeless persons in the Borough, which included rough sleepers, vulnerable/at risk people and sofa-surfers The Homelessness Reduction Bill would give Councils greater responsibilities to work with vulnerable people who were currently not within the organisation’s responsibility.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Charlotte Morley for her detailed answers to the wide ranging questions from Members in relation to her Portfolio.

Resolved, that the Committee expresses its concern about and advises the Executive to review the Planning Enforcement function, focussing in particular on resource and budgetary implications, with the objective of substantially improving this service.