The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel of Enfield Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 27 January 2026. The meeting's agenda includes updates on the Enfield Local Plan examination, digital transformation within the Planning Service, and the progress of licensing schemes for private rented properties. The panel will also review its work programme.

Enfield Local Plan Examination - Procedural Update

The panel is set to receive a procedural update on the examination of the Enfield Local Plan. This report, authored by May Hope, Head of Strategic Planning & Design, will outline the current stage of the examination, the role of the appointed Inspector, and anticipated next steps. These may include potential Main Modifications and statutory consultations, all of which remain subject to the Inspector's direction. The report notes that the examination is being conducted against the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) and that recent representations following the Government's New Towns announcement have been addressed procedurally. The Council's position is that this announcement does not alter the scope or timetable of the examination.

Planning Tech Team, Digital Ways of Working and Impacts on Customers

A report from Su Whybrow, Head of Technical Planning Support, will detail the ongoing digital transformation within the Planning Service. The aim is to make planning services more accessible to residents and applicants while streamlining operations and improving cost efficiency. This aligns with the Government's Digital Planning Programme, which seeks to improve access to planning data, expedite decisions, and enhance community engagement. The report highlights the transition from the current case management system, IDOX, to a new cloud-based solution called Arcus Built Environment (BE). This new system is designed to manage applications, consultations, and appeals within a single platform, offering automated workflows and mobile accessibility. Residents will be able to submit comments on planning applications without needing an account, and the character limit for comments has been significantly increased. Additionally, the service is replacing its digital mapping system, MapInfo, with Cadcorp, a geospatial software provider. The report also mentions the use of Microsoft Copilot Chat as an assistive tool for officers to improve communication with customers and the availability of heritage datasets through the Open Data platform. The Planning team has also partnered with Planning Hub to develop an AI-driven Prop Tech platform, supported by government funding, to provide site-specific insights and streamline feasibility analysis for developments.

Update on Licensing Schemes

Tina Fasi, Head of Private Rented Housing Licensing & Enforcement, will provide an update on the additional and selective licensing schemes in the borough. The report highlights that the privately rented sector (PRS) now constitutes 33% of housing tenure in Enfield, with a significant proportion of children living in these homes. A borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme, first introduced in 2020, has been renewed for a further five years from September 2025. The selective licensing scheme, which covers 14 wards and was introduced in September 2021, is due to end on 31 August 2026. Proposals to renew this scheme in 17 wards are currently undergoing statutory public consultation to address poor housing standards and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The report details the impact of these schemes in raising property and management standards, noting that since 2020, over 1,400 HMO licences have been granted, resulting in more than 4,500 households living in improved accommodation. Enforcement actions, including statutory notices, civil penalties, and prosecutions, have been taken against landlords who fail to meet standards. The report also references the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) report, which ranked Enfield highly for its use of civil penalties and prosecutions in tackling issues within HMOs and the PRS.

Work Programme

The panel will review the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26. This document outlines the topics scheduled for discussion throughout the year, including updates on social housing regulation, the decommissioning of specific housing blocks, and progress on the Housing Delivery Programme. Future topics include the Joyce & Snells regeneration project, damp and mould issues following new legislation, and an evaluation of the Reardon Court scheme.