Issue - meetings

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Enforcement Charters should be reviewed every 2 years and must outline what service the Council provides to customers and complainants in relation to breaches and alleged breaches of planning control.  Consideration was given to a report seeking endorsement of an updated Argyll and Bute Enforcement and Monitoring Charter. 

The report also advised that the Scottish Government’s advice on the relaxation of planning enforcement remains in place until 30 September 2022.  The Committee previously reviewed and approved an addendum to the Charter, most recently in September 2021, setting out specific provisions that specifically support town centre businesses and their recovery, and a more general position recognising the circumstances under which the pandemic may provide grounds for relaxation of planning enforcement.  Committee approval was sought for the extension of these additional temporary relaxations until 30 September 2022 to retain alignment with the National position on planning enforcement.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    approve and endorse the updated Enforcement and Monitoring Charter 2022 (Appendix A);

2.    approve that the Planning Position Statement (Appendix B), (setting out the relaxation of planning controls within designated town centres as previously approved by the Council Leadership Group in July 2020, and subsequently extended on 29 October 2020 and by PPSL 17 March 2021 and 22 September 2021) be further extended until 30 September 2022; and

3.    approve the addendum to the Enforcement and Monitoring Charter (Appendix C) for a further temporary period expiring 30 September 2022, subject to periodic review in the event of updated guidance being provided by the Scottish Government.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 9 March 2022, submitted)