The Strategic Planning Committee met on Monday 19 February 2024 to discuss the Q3 update on Planning and Building Control services, review the findings of a Planning Service Peer Challenge, and consider updates to the Planning Protocol. Key decisions included noting the Q3 update and agreeing to refer the Planning Service Peer Challenge report and action plan to Cabinet for endorsement and approval.

Planning and Building Control 2023/24 Q3 Update

Rob Krzyszowski, Assistant Director for Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability, presented the report on the work of the Planning and Building Control services up to December 2023.

During the discussion, it was noted that the government intends to scrutinise councils that frequently refuse planning applications against officer advice, with data on this to be published. Regarding the Planning Skills Delivery Fund, a blended approach of existing staff working overtime and agency staff has been used to manage the backlog of applications, rather than solely relying on additional agency staff as initially suggested. The upcoming National Development Management Policies will become part of the development plan, alongside the Local Plan and the London Plan, strengthening the basis for planning decisions. The report also touched upon the government's renewed emphasis on a brownfield-first policy for development, a principle that has long been established national planning policy. While Haringey has a small amount of Green Belt land, officers will maintain an open-minded approach to such sites, applying existing planning policy. The committee was informed that the presumption in favour of sustainable development, which previously provided an additional nudge to approve housing applications, is a national policy and not part of the development plan, thus having a limited practical impact, especially in Haringey where most development occurs on brownfield sites.

In the Development Management and Enforcement section, it was explained that a recent batch of lost appeals related to telephone box replacements, which had been met with a firm stance due to issues with pavement clutter and anti-social behaviour. The use of Extensions of Time (EOTs) had been more widespread, encouraged by the government as part of the Planning Skills Delivery Fund to ensure officers agreed on deadlines. The committee was informed that the backlog of applications, which the team had targeted at just over 200, had seen approximately 100 cleared. The outstanding list was now around 130, with good progress being made towards a target of clearing most of it by April, with May as a fallback.

Under Building Control, Councillor John Bevan requested that cabinet members should be involved in the creation of job profiles. It was clarified that over sailing licences, which permit cranes to extend over other properties, fall outside both the Planning and Building Control systems. A new trainee had been recruited and was working well within the team. The Chair and committee thanked Bob McIver, Head of Building Control Services, for his 44 years of service to Haringey Council.

The committee resolved to note the report.

Planning Service Peer Challenge: Report and Action Plan

Rob Krzyszowski introduced the report detailing the Council's response to the recommendations from the Planning Service Peer Challenge conducted in October 2023.

During the discussion, it was noted that the Systems Thinking Approach, implemented in 2016, focuses on the entire customer journey to streamline processes. While some found it to involve a lot of administrative work, it ultimately led to savings and improved customer experience, which was reflected positively in the peer review.

The committee resolved to note the content of the report, the recommendations in the Peer Challenge report (Appendix A), and the Action Plan (Appendix B) which responds to each of the 10 recommendations. They also agreed to refer the report and appended documents to Cabinet with the recommendation to endorse the Peer Challenge report and approve the Action Plan.

Updating the Planning Protocol

Rob Krzyszowski presented the report outlining potential changes to the Planning Protocol, a part of the Council's Constitution, for members to consider and discuss.

In response to questions, it was clarified that the protocol itself does not govern the delegation of powers; this is handled by a separate scheme of delegation. Delegating smaller applications to officers is considered good practice nationally, and information on these delegated decisions is available to ward councillors. The Local Plan was highlighted as a key document for councillors to shape, with officers' decisions needing to be based on it. The proposed Strategic Planning Panel was described as a draft mechanism for early pre-application presentations from developers to relevant cabinet members and the Chair of the Planning Sub Committee, intended to facilitate informal input and transparency without predetermining decisions. Officers would continue with pre-application meetings with the committee, with this new panel offering an additional layer of member input. The possibility of including the Leader of the Council and relevant cabinet members on this panel was mentioned. Officers acknowledged the importance of public perception and encouraged an open and transparent approach, noting that early member engagement at various levels is generally encouraged. It was reiterated that Cabinet cannot make decisions or provide steer on the Planning Sub Committee due to legislative restrictions. A reminder was given that committee members could conduct their own site visits if unable to attend scheduled ones with officers. Regarding the meeting's running order, the intention is to allocate more time for officer advice. For petitions, officers are proposing a clear deadline in advance of the committee to allow sufficient time for review and advice, addressing instances where petitions have been received during meetings.

The committee resolved to note the content of the report.

The meeting concluded with the noting of the dates for future meetings being TBC.