Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2021 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Public Rights of Way and Access Service Manager introduced the report which concentrated on applications related to Public Rights of Way, including legislative updates. He said that the report to the January meeting of the Committee would contain a focus on Village Green applications.

(2)       The Committee agreed to hold a virtual training session on Public Rights of Way and Village Greens on 15 October 2021. 

(3)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the report be noted; and

(b)          A virtual training session on Public Rights of Way and Village Green issues be held on 15 October 2021.

(1)       The Head of Planning Applications Group introduced the report which covered the work of the Planning Enforcement Team since 1 July 2021. She referred to paragraph 21 of the report which explained that the Local Government Association and planning peer groups were becoming increasingly concerned over the impact of Environment Agency Permits being issued to waste management activities in the absence of planning permission.  Change to this process could only be made by Government Legislation. In the meantime, the Environment Agency had to act in accordance with the Law as it stood. 

(2)       Mr H Rayner moved, seconded by Mr R A Marsh that:

“The Committee encourages the Cabinet Member for Finance to allocate additional resources to the Planning Enforcement Team to enable a more prompt and effective enforcement service to be delivered to Kent residents.

(3)       During discussion of this motion, Mr Rayner clarified that his concern about the enforcement service was purely in respect of the resources allocated to it. This in no way implied a criticism of the officers providing the service as he held them in the highest regard.

(4)       On being out to the vote, the motion set out in (2) above was carried by 7 votes to 5 with 1 abstention.

(5)       The Chairman agreed to write to the Cabinet Member for Finance setting out the Committee’s views.

(6)       RESOLVED that;-

(a)          the actions taken or contemplated in the report be noted and endorsed; and

(b)       the Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services be encouraged to allocate additional resources to the Planning Enforcement Team to enable a more prompt and effective enforcement service to be delivered to Kent residents.

EXEMPT ITEMS

(Open Access to Minutes)

(Members resolved under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded for the following business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act)

(1)       The Head of Planning Applications Group and the Team Leader-Planning Enforcement gave an update on unauthorised (or part unauthorised) planning enforcement matters setting out actions taken or contemplated at Raspberry Hill Park Farm, Iwade; Warden Point, Eastchurch; Surf Crescent, Eastchurch; Foxdene, Stockbury; Chetney Marshes, Iwade; Springhill Farm, Fordcombe; Water Lane, Thurnham; Hoads Wood Farm, Bethersden;; Double Quick Farm, Lenham; Woodside East, Nickley Wood Road, Shadoxhurst; Ringwould Alpine Nursery;  Fairfield Court Farm, Brack Lane, Brooklands, Romney Marsh;  Chapel Lane, Sissinghurst; Worth Centre, Jubilee Road, Worth; East Kent Recycling, Oare Creek, Faversham; Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, Ashford; Court Lodge Farm, Stack Road, Horton Kirby; R S Skipps, Apex Business Park, Shorne; Flisher Energy, Fernfield Lane, Hawkinge; Site formerly occupied by Sall Haulage Ltd, Unit 2,  Katrina Wharf, Wharf Road, Gravesend; Cube Metals, Unit A, Highfield Industrial Estate, Bradley Road, Folkestone; Borough Green Sandpits; Aggregates recycling Facility, land to the south of Manor Way Business Park, Swanscombe; and Wrotham Quarry (Addington Sandpit), West Malling.  

(4)       RESOLVED that the enforcement strategies outlined in paragraphs 14 to 125 of the report be noted and endorsed.