Agenda item

Note: If any Member seeks further clarity, or wishes to raise issues regarding any future Executive agenda item, please contact Democratic Services before 5.00pm on Monday 29 March 2021 to ensure that the lead Executive Member(s) and lead officer(s) are aware of this request in advance of the meeting.

O&S.49/20       

The Panel was presented with the most recently published Executive Forward Plan.  In accordance with the Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the Chairman asked for scope and intent of the following reports:

a)     Planning and Planning Enforcement Improvement Plan

The Lead Executive Member proceeded to inform that a number of Members had raised concerns over the planning enforcement service and, on occasion, the planning service.  The Council and the shared officer team had been stretched considerably during the last 12 months of the Pandemic and through the three lockdowns. The planning and planning enforcement team had adapted well to working from home but the pressures of additional childcare and home schooling had reduced capacity, over the same period the Council had received a 12% increase in planning applications and a 30% increase in planning enforcement cases.

Following consultation with the Leader, the lead Executive Member, and the Chief Executive, officers had been asked to carry out a service review and put together an improvement plan for both services. The improvement plan would focus on delivering improvements for both services in the following key areas;

•    Performance

•    Quality

•    Customer and member satisfaction

•    Communication

It would also look at the services that support the functions such as legal, internal consultees and the new IT system that was planned and the benefits it may bring.

It was intended that officers would present the draft Plan to the Executive and, subject to its approval, would recommend that the Overview & Scrutiny Panel scrutinise the delivery of the actions and subsequent improvements that would be delivered.

b)     Motorhome Strategy

The lead Executive Member outlined that this report would go before the Executive at the next meeting on 22 April 2021.  If the strategy was approved, it would increase use of car parks for overnight stays in the South Hams area.  The report was still in draft form with consultation of Members, and would look at a maximum stay of two nights with no return within 48 hours and only those vehicles with on-board facilities, cost would be discussed at the Executive meeting, but signage was acknowledged as important.  In addition, an off street parking order amendment would be required.  This strategy would improve local tourism and local spend, and potentially extend the length of the tourist season.  The Lead Member confirmed that the Council was consulting with other neighbouring Local Authorities to look at best practice. 

c)     Electric Charging Points in Council Car Parks

The Panel was advised that a supplier had just been appointed, which would be Scottish Power.  Officers would be meeting with Scottish Power on 13^th April 2021 to discuss electric charging points provision across the South Hams area.  Although charges would be set by Scottish Power, South Hams District Council would recoup a small charge from Scottish Power and the cost of the parking space would be covered. A review conducted by APSE Energy would look at all options available, including solar panels, and all South Hams District Council assets, including car parks. The time frame was dependent on Devon County Council, with a schedule of works to be outlined in April’s meeting with Scottish Power.