Planning Enforcement and Monitoring Plan

9.1 We recognise that Members, Parish and Town Councils play an important role in the provision of an exemplar Planning Compliance & Enforcement Service. Members, Parish and Town Councils have a great deal of local knowledge and awareness of activities in their area. We will seek their views on the delivery of the service and will engage, where appropriate, on enforcement matters.

9.2 We will notify Local Members, Parish and Town Councils of formal actions taken in their area and, where appropriate, will encourage them to aid in the detection of breaches of planning control as well as contributing to monitoring developments and in the compliance process.

9.3 Elected Members have an important role in supporting the planning enforcement process by advising residents on how it works—when they have the relevant information and references available. However, they are not responsible for chasing decisions or reporting alleged breaches on behalf of residents. All suspected breaches of planning control should be reported directly through the Council’s online reporting form, which ensures that cases are logged and investigated appropriately. Where relevant, Members may help explain the process or direct residents to the correct reporting channels, but formal investigations and decisions remain the responsibility of the Planning Compliance and Enforcement team.