The Scrutiny Select Committee – Economic Growth and Communities met to discuss the council's bulky waste and garden assistance services, and to review the planning enforcement process. The committee requested more information on the bulky waste collection service at a prior meeting, and the report on planning enforcement was provided at the request of the committee.

Bulky Waste and Garden Assistance Service

The committee reviewed a report on the bulky waste and garden assistance service, covering the impact of social media advertising, fly-tipping trends, handling of non-disposal reports, accommodations for disabled or elderly residents, service uptake, and direct advertising to tenants.

Key findings included:

• Increased Applications: Social media advertising has contributed to a rise in bulky waste service requests, with a notable 18% increase in March 2025 coinciding with high-performing social media posts.
• Fly-tipping Trends: Fly-tipping incidents have increased from 490 in 2023 to 587 in 2024.
• Non-Disposal Reports: Between January 2023 and May 2025, 29 complaints were received regarding uncompleted bulky item collections, most of which were resolved quickly.
• Assistance for Residents: Residents must typically place items at the front of their property for collection. Waste Management must be informed ahead of booking if this isn't possible, so that an assessment can be made.
• Garden Assistance Service: There are 226 tenants enrolled in the Garden Assistance Service, with 220 receiving the service for free because they are aged 75 or over, or under 75 and in receipt of a disability benefit, or disabled/have a health condition.
• Service Promotion: The Garden Assistance Service is advertised on the My Chesterfield website; Housing Officers also promote the scheme.

Planning Enforcement

The committee discussed the council's planning enforcement function, which is essential for managing the environment and ensuring development complies with regulations. The discussion included:

• Enforcement Process: The council has a duty under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to investigate breaches of planning control and has powers to remedy such breaches. The council aims to negotiate and work with those who have undertaken unauthorised works rather than take formal action.
• Stopping a Business: There is no specific timescale to stop a business from running once it has been refused at a Planning Committee meeting. The council will try to work with the business operator to resolve matters, but formal action, such as a temporary stop notice or enforcement notice, may be necessary.
• Enforcement Team Structure: The enforcement team consists of two enforcement officers, one full time and one working four days per week, and an enforcement technician, all reporting to a Principal Planner or the Development Management and Conservation Manager.
• Resource Management: Cases are prioritised based on their severity:
  • Priority 1 (Red): Public danger or significant works involving damage to listed buildings or to protected trees.
  • Priority 2 (Orange): Complaints relating to loss of amenity or other significant public or private impact (including those covered by conditions of consent and/or in regard to ongoing developments), e.g. noise and smell nuisance.
  • Priority 3 (Pink): Complaints relating to minor developments or domestic disputes, e.g. fences, sheds, extensions, satellite dishes, vehicular access etc unless they relate to serious amenity issues or public safety
  • Priority 4 (Blue): Proactive checking and following up conditions applied to planning permissions granted.
• Caseload: There are currently 231 active planning enforcement cases.
• Enforcement Timeline: There is no specific timeline for each stage of the enforcement process, as it depends on the willingness of parties to cooperate and the priority of the case.
• Non-Compliance: If a formal notice is not complied with, the council may pursue a prosecution or undertake works directly and recover the costs from the landowner.

The report was for information only, and no decisions were made. Further information on planning enforcement is available on GOV.UK.

Forward Plan

The committee reviewed the Forward Plan for the period 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026, which outlines key decisions to be made by the council. Key decisions listed in the plan include:

• Sale of CBC Land/Property
• Purchase of Property under Strategic Acquisitions and Right of First Refusal Policy
• Strategic land and property acquisitions
• HR and payroll reshape
• Customer services and support services reshape
• Standards and Audit Committee annual report 2024/25
• People Plan
• Updated Volunteer Policy
• Commercial Rent Write Off

Work Programme

The committee reviewed the work programme for the Scrutiny Select Committee – Economic Growth & Communities for 2025/26. Planned items include:

• Environmental Services (Bulky Waste and the Garden Assistance Service)
• Planning Enforcement Team
• Tour of the Stephenson Memorial Hall
• UKSPF (Community Development activities)
• Housing (Repairs and enforcement activities)
• Plan for Neighbourhoods
• Crime and Disorder Annual Report
• Careline Transformation