Manage Enforcement Manage Enforcement Proactively?Proactively?

James CookeJames CookeEnforcement Team LeaderEnforcement Team Leader

South Gloucestershire CouncilSouth Gloucestershire CouncilFebruary 2013February 2013

South Gloucestershire CouncilSouth Gloucestershire Council

• A Unitary AuthorityA Unitary Authority• 3500 – 4000, 1100 Enforcement Complaints per annum3500 – 4000, 1100 Enforcement Complaints per annum• Predominantly rural but Bristol Fringe and towns of Yate and Predominantly rural but Bristol Fringe and towns of Yate and

ThornburyThornbury• 2004 - Minerals and Enforcement Team (PT&SE)2004 - Minerals and Enforcement Team (PT&SE)

2009 - Planning Enforcement Team (PT&SE)2009 - Planning Enforcement Team (PT&SE)2011 - Building Control and Planning Enforcement (E&CS)2011 - Building Control and Planning Enforcement (E&CS)

• Fundamental changes to staff and qualifications paved the way Fundamental changes to staff and qualifications paved the way for proactive monitoring. for proactive monitoring.

• But was a But was a boldbold move! Officer caseloads around and over 100 move! Officer caseloads around and over 100 and far from unanimous support within the Team.and far from unanimous support within the Team.

• New Era…New Era…

StructureStructureBuilding Control & Planning Enforcement Manager

Enforcement Team Leader

Senior Enforcement Officer

3 Enforcement Officers

Technical Officer (Compliance) (part-time)

Compliance Investigator 2 Investigators (part time)

CONTROL

Timely and Regular visits

Build a relationship

Record

DANGER!!!

ProcessProcessTechnical Officer

•Assess new builds from BC start list against stipulated criteria

•Minors

•Pre-Comms then other conditions

•Objections

•Reactive

•Make up file and send start letter chasing conditions

Compliance Investigator

•Initial visit (occasionally by appointment)

•Identify issues, liaise with developer

•Record visits and plan revisits

•Report breaches to Senior Officer

In PicturesIn Pictures

Foundations March 2010

May 2010

In PicturesIn Pictures

July 2010

September 2010

In PicturesIn PicturesDecember 2010

January 2011

In PicturesIn Pictures

November 2011

January 2012

• 2007 – Minerals and Waste – The spark!• 2007/2008 – Benchmarking with Bristol City Council, Lake District

National Park• April 2008 – 3 month trial period• June 2008 – Service goes live (1 Compliance Investigator)• Sept 2008 – 2 Planning Officers adopt cases• Jan 2009 – Service presented at Agents Forum• Summer 2009 – Planning Officer rotation• Winter 2010 – Up to 10 Planning Officers handling cases• Jan 2012 – No Planning Officers! 1 Compliance Officer, 1

Technical Officer.• Jan 2013 – Being drafted into a Planning Review………

Embrace BC!!!Embrace BC!!! BEWARE DC!!! BEWARE DC!!!

The Stats 2012The Stats 2012

WHY?WHY?NPPF Enforcement

207. Effective enforcement is important as a means of maintaining public confidence in the planning system. Enforcement action is discretionary, and local planning authorities should act proportionately in responding to suspected breaches of planning control. Local planning authorities should consider publishing a local enforcement plan to manage enforcement proactively, in a way that is appropriate to their area. This should set out how they will monitor the implementation of planning permissions, investigate alleged cases of unauthorised development and take action where it is appropriate to do so.

• It is now at the heart of Government Policy – there isn’t a lot else!• Your Council Members ought to love it!• The Public will begin to expect it• It can reduce complaints• It should enhance your Development Control Service• It provides new opportunities – Building Control, DC experience• Income and work

Article 34 of the EU Waste Framework DirectiveArticle 34 of the EU Waste Framework Directive

Regulation 19 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations Regulation 19 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 20112011

Requires local planning authorities to carry out periodic Requires local planning authorities to carry out periodic inspections of waste facilities. inspections of waste facilities.

Regulation 19 states;Regulation 19 states;InspectionsInspections

19.19.—(1) This regulation applies where a planning authority has —(1) This regulation applies where a planning authority has planning functions in relation to establishments or undertakings planning functions in relation to establishments or undertakings carrying on disposal or recovery of waste.carrying on disposal or recovery of waste.(2) The planning authority must ensure that appropriate periodic (2) The planning authority must ensure that appropriate periodic inspections of those establishments or undertakings are made.inspections of those establishments or undertakings are made.

Fancy a job?!Fancy a job?!• Vacancy…

South Gloucestershire Council seeks Compliance Investigator!Post to be advertised on the website shortly at www.southglos.gov.uk