Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director Place Shaping.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Place Shaping on the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) for the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.  It was noted that the AMR indicated the performance of Harrow Council against a set of nationally and locally defined indicators designed to monitor the implementation of planning policies.

The Panel reviewed and commented on the draft AMR.  During the discussion on the report Members asked a number of questions which were responded to as follows:

·                    it was not anticipated that the Secretary of State would provide feedback on the report due to reorganisational changes and the fact that it was no longer part of the base to calculate the planning delivery grant;

·                    revised housing capacity with effect from 2011 had been agreed with the Mayor of London.  Whilst there was potentially good capacity, it was subject to the economic position.  Harrow’s revised London Plan housing target had not yet been formally agreed, it was in the process of being agreed in the London Plan’s Examination in Public;

·                    with regard to the proportion of family housing available, it was noted that records of affordable housing were maintained.  It was suggested that housing completion information be included with a bedroom breakdown in order to assess the proportion of family housing being provided in the Borough.  This was likely to be incorporated into the 2010/11 report.  Whilst affordable housing was presently 27-30% of the housing stock, on the basis of proportion of floor area it was 50% due to the larger accommodation being sought.   

It was noted that the Annual Monitoring Report would be presented at the Corporate Leadership Group the following week and launched at a seminar for Members in February 2011.  It was agreed that a colour copy of the document be produced for all Members and senior officers and a copy made available at each library.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Cabinet)

That the Annual Monitoring Report (2009/10) be approved for submission to the Secretary of State.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Council to comply with the requirement under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 for submission of the Annual Monitoring Report before the 31 December 2010 deadline.