To approve responses to the two reports.

The Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing presented the report and recommended it to Cabinet stating there had been a number of issues raised on planning and scrutiny.  The Chair of the Planning Services Scrutiny Review Group thanked everyone involved for their hard work and added that 98% of the recommendations proposed had been accepted.  It was added that parish councils felt their contributions and comments were not always taken notice of.  They had also requested more training for parish councils delivered through the planning department rather than by an agency.

Cabinet was advised that a key element of the review was for the authority to accept it needed to improve at the planning process, engage with people and provide the best possible planning service to the residents in Herefordshire.  Cabinet referred to page 104 of the report relating to enforcement and it was anticipated that there would be a stronger and more proactive enforcement team to support the process.  The Cabinet Member added that local ward Members would now have the ability to state their view publically on a planning application and represent their parishes.

RESOLVED

                        THAT:

                              a)         the responses set out at Appendices 1 and 2 be approved; and

                              b)         the proposed incorporation of the responses into a single action for service improvement be noted.