Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1 Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillors Levy, Stops, Brett, Bunt, Coban and Potter

2.1  Cllrs Hanson, Kennedy, Fajana- Thomas, Sharer, Ozsen and Potter declared a non-prejudicial interest at agenda item 4 – Revised Planning Sub- Committee Procedure as members of the Planning Sub-Committee.

3.1  RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 October 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

  RESOLVED to approve the revised procedure for meetings of the Planning Sub-committee attached to this report at Appendix A.

4.1  Mr Farley introduced the report seeking approval for revisions to the procedure for meetings of the Planning Sub-Committee and advised that the revised procedure would make the planning process more transparent for those attending the meeting.  Mr Farley stated that the final version of the procedure had been sent to the Chair of the Planning Sub-Committee. 

4.2  Cllr Hanson welcomed the revised procedure, which would ensure that the meeting process was transparent for all parties at the meeting. 

  RESOLVED to approve the revised procedure for meetings of the Planning Sub-Committee as attached at Appendix A of the report.

RESOLVED to approve the Authority Monitoring Report 2017 (as set out in Appendix 1)

5.1  Natalie Broughton introduced the report seeking approval of the Planning Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) for 2017, which provided monitoring information on spatial planning-related activity covering the financial years of 2015/16 and 2016/17 informing and monitoring policy development and performance. The report also provided an analysis of the effectiveness of the policy set out in the Local Plan and set out the challenges and opportunities that needed addressing in the Draft Local Plan 2033 (Draft Plan 2033).  The report also set out details on receipts for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

5.2  Ms Broughton highlighted the key findings of the AMR for the following areas:

·  Housing - Housing policy had been effective in delivering homes above target and challenges remained relating to issues of housing affordability for Hackney residents.

·  Employment –There had been high levels of growth in new businesses within the borough and substantial new employment floorspace in the pipeline.  The Draft Local Plan 2033 addresses this challenge by setting out an approach to a direct new employment development and providing better protection against the loss of industrial floorspace in the future. In addition the new Article 4 Directions would protect employment uses.

·  Retail and Town Centres - Hackney had seen growth in the retail sector with high occupancy rates in all town and local centres in the Borough. The Draft Plan 2033 would set out a strategy to manage growth in retail and town centre uses with growth especially focused in Dalston and Hackney Central as the two major centres and Shoreditch in the Central Activities Zone.

·  Communities, Culture, Education and Health – The planning and delivery of new primary schools had been positive in 2016.

·  Transport - Cycling parking provision had increased along with public transport usage. Hackney had been approving car park free developments and the Draft Plan 2033 supported the case for Crossrail 2 to improve connectivity and facilitate growth.

·  Open Spaces Environment and Climate Change - Improvements to open spaces had been delivered in Hackney over the last two years.

• Heritage and Design -Three sites previously listed on the heritage at risk register had been restored. The Draft Plan 2033 outlined the approach to be taken to ensure that heritage assets were protected whilst delivering housing and employment floorspace at higher densities.
• Planning Performance – Hackney had met the major targets set out in planning performance 2015/16 and 2016/17 despite a significant increase in the number of planning applications being processed. In addition, planning performance agreements had provided adequate revenue to support the service’s continued excellent performance.

5.3  Councillor Fajana–Thomas asked why the report was being presented in December.  Ms Broughton explained that the last report had been presented in July 2016 and future reports would now be presented annually in the month of December to provide Members with a comprehensive and accurate analysis of service’s performance.  The housing completions until Autumn and there was now a statutory requirement to report on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by the end of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

RESOLVED to note the level and scope of work being carried out to meet the requirements of the plan.

6.1  Gerry McCarthy introduced the report which provided an update on the performance of the Food Safety and Trading Standards against the Service Plan to the end of Q4 2016/17.  It also included priorities and areas of interest for the future and the work undertaken to improve the quality of food premises in Hackney and also assisting businesses to comply with their legal requirements. This was the first report since the implementation of the new Service introduced on the 3^rd of May 2017.

6.2 Mr McCarthy highlighted the following areas:

·  The Food Law Enforcement Service Plan Update data showed that 85% of Hackney’s food premises were broadly compliant as of 31st March 2016.

·  Hackney had the third highest number of food premises across the sector in the North East in food hygiene performance and was also ranked third in terms of broad compliance and the level of enforcement action taken

·  Hackney had served the third highest number of hygiene improvement notices, the fourth highest number of Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices and had the 6^th highest number of voluntary closures.

·  Hackney was the only borough to have completed 100% inspections of high risk premises for food standards.

6.3  Mr McCarthy emphasised that the percentage of broadly compliant premises had improved in the Borough following the targeting of premises that were ‘not’ broadly compliant and those premises not yet rated. In addition, greater emphasis had been placed on driving up compliance through advice, education and inspections of establishments in breach of the law. The Service also fulfilled the public safety and health role including prevention of sale of dangerous products such as the supply of age-restricted products to minors and assisting businesses comply with safety legislation in order to protect consumers from unfair trading practices. The service supported individuals, communities and businesses enabling people to buy goods and services with confidence and security.

6.4  Cllr Sharman welcomed the report, however, he stated that the report should have incorporated future priorities and targets in order to measure the performance of the service.

6.5  Mr Richards explained that service plans were approved by the relevant Cabinet Member and it was agreed that the draft service plan including targets and priorities would be submitted at the next Committee meeting for Members’ feedback.  Mr McCarthy emphasised that the service took a proactive approach in enforcement especially age restricted items by carrying out more pro-active inspections of fireworks, tabacco, dangerous weapons such as knifes and alcohol.  The Council also jointly worked with Scam Busters to identify large scale fraud and scams and engaged with businesses including sending approximately 800 letters to traders reminding them of their responsibility in relation to the national minimum wage.  The service took all the necessary action to provide advice and assist businesses to comply with regulations prior to any enforcement action being taken.  Mr Richards highlighted that the Council had taken measures to address the rise in acid attacks by operating a voluntary scheme with shop owners not to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1  The work programme 2017/18 was noted.

7.2  It was noted that the Draft Regulatory Service’s Service Plan and Environmental Enforcement Report 2016/17 would be included in the work programme for March 2018.

8.1  There was no other urgent business.