Manage Enforcement Proactively? James Cooke Enforcement Team Leader South Gloucestershire Council February 2013

South 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 ThornburyPredominantly rural but Bristol Fringe and towns of Yate and Thornbury Minerals and Enforcement Team (PT&SE) Minerals and Enforcement Team (PT&SE) Planning Enforcement Team (PT&SE) Building Control and Planning Enforcement (E&CS) Fundamental changes to staff and qualifications paved the way for proactive monitoring.Fundamental changes to staff and qualifications paved the way for proactive monitoring. But was a bold move! Officer caseloads around and over 100 and far from unanimous support within the Team.But was a bold move! Officer caseloads around and over 100 and far from unanimous support within the Team. New Era…New Era…

Structure Building 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!!!

Process Technical 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 Pictures Foundations March 2010 May 2010

In Pictures July 2010 September 2010

In Pictures December 2010 January 2011

In 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!!! BEWARE DC!!!

The Stats 2012

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 Directive Regulation 19 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 Requires local planning authorities to carry out periodic inspections of waste facilities. Regulation 19 states; Inspections 19.—(1) This regulation applies where a planning authority has planning functions in relation to establishments or undertakings carrying on disposal or recovery of waste. (2) The planning authority must ensure that appropriate periodic inspections of those establishments or undertakings are made.

Fancy a job?! Vacancy… South Gloucestershire Council seeks Compliance Investigator! Post to be advertised on the website shortly at