Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control, Councillor Mike Collins

RESOLVED THAT:

1. the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan is approved;

2. the public-facing draft Local Planning Enforcement Guide is approved.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control said that a planning enforcement plan is not a statutory requirement for local authorities and that CBC is going above and beyond to keep residents informed.  He said so much has changed since the last version was written ten years ago that it was decided to write a completely new document, which is informative and clear to understand, fits in with corporate plan priorities, is in line with National Planning Policy Guidance, and is fair, balanced and realistic.  It also includes a useful one-page guide.

Members welcomed this well-designed, clear and easy-to-understand document, and thanked officers for the work that has gone into it.  It will be a helpful tool for residents in explaining what is and isn’t planning enforcement, together with useful tips and web links for further information.  The timings, prioritisation and rationale behind planning enforcement are clearly explained in the 12-page document, which is recommended reading for anyone who wants to be better informed. 

In view of the significant backlog in planning enforcement cases dating back to the pandemic, and people’s frustration about enforcement issues, a Member welcomed the appointment of the Head of Planning, and asked what progress had been made in recruiting an enforcement team which is so crucial at ground level.

The Head of Planning confirmed that recruiting an enforcement officer to work with the senior enforcement officer has proved challenging, with very little interest in the role.  He has recently revisited the job description, which originally required the post-holder to be a qualified planner, focussing instead on the investigative nature of the role, and there has been some interest in the internal advert – so there is light at the end of the tunnel.  In the meantime, a three-month agency contract will help clear the backlog. 

The Leader pointed out that there is a national problem in recruiting planners.  She said that retro-fitting Cheltenham’s many beautiful listed buildings for the future continues to be a challenge and people often make genuine mistakes around planning enforcement, but it is important that these are picked up and rectified to preserve the heritage of the town.

RESOLVED THAT:

1. the draft Local Planning Enforcement Plan is approved;

2. the public-facing draft Local Planning Enforcement Guide is approved.