The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel of Enfield Council was scheduled to discuss the procedural update on the Enfield Local Plan Examination, the digital transformation within the Planning Service, and an update on licensing schemes. The panel was also set to review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Enfield Local Plan Examination - Procedural Update

The panel was scheduled to receive a report from May Hope, Head of Strategic Planning & Design, providing an update on the Enfield Local Plan Examination. The report was intended to inform members about the current stage of the examination, the role of the independent Inspector, and the anticipated next steps. This includes any potential programme for Main Modifications and statutory consultation. The examination, which began in August 2024, is being conducted against the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023). The report noted that while hearing sessions may have concluded, the examination remains ongoing until the Inspector issues their final report. The Council's role is to respond to the Inspector's correspondence and progress statutory steps as directed. The report also addressed recent representations and public interest following the Government's New Towns announcement, confirming that these have been procedurally addressed within the examination process. The potential next steps, subject to the Inspector's consideration, could include a post-hearings note, a direction to prepare Main Modifications, and a statutory public consultation on these modifications.

Planning Tech Team, Digital Ways of Working and Impacts on Customers

A report from Su Whybrow, Head of Technical Planning Support, was scheduled to update the panel on the digital tools being used or developed by the Planning Service. The aim of these digital initiatives is to make planning services more accessible to residents and applicants, while also streamlining operations and improving cost efficiency. This aligns with the Government's Digital Planning Programme, which seeks to deliver better access to planning data, faster decision-making, and improved community engagement. The report highlighted the transition from the current online case management system, IDOX, to a new cloud-based solution called Arcus Built Environment (BE), which is designed to streamline the entire planning process. Residents will continue to have access to an online planning register, with enhanced features for submitting comments. The Planning Service is also replacing its digital mapping system, MapInfo, with Cadcorp, a geospatial software provider. The report also mentioned the use of Microsoft Copilot Chat as an assistive tool for officers to improve communication with customers and the public availability of Heritage datasets. The panel was to be informed about future plans, including the full utilisation of Arcus BE for real-time business intelligence and the expansion of a partnership with Planning Hub to develop an AI-driven planning feasibility tool. The report also outlined the risks and challenges associated with AI and digital transformation, including ensuring accuracy, enhancing officer capabilities, and mitigating bias.

Update on Licensing Schemes

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on additional and selective licensing schemes from Tina Fasi, Head of Private Rented Housing Licensing & Enforcement. The report detailed the significant growth of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Enfield, now comprising 33% of the housing tenure. The report highlighted that over 32,000 children live in the PRS in Enfield. An additional HMO licensing scheme, first introduced in 2020, was renewed for a further five years from September 2025. A Selective licensing scheme, covering 14 wards and introduced in September 2021, is due to end in August 2026, with proposals to renew it in 17 wards currently undergoing public consultation. The report detailed the impact of these schemes in raising property and management standards, with over 4,500 households living in safe accommodation due to the HMO licensing scheme. The selective licensing scheme has seen over 22,000 licences granted, with a table outlining various enforcement actions taken, including statutory notices served and civil penalties issued. The report noted Enfield's ranking in national reports for its use of civil penalties and prosecutions against landlords. The financial performance of the schemes was also presented, showing income and expenditure over the five-year period. The report also detailed partnership working with other agencies to tackle issues in the PRS and the impact of licensing schemes on homelessness, concluding that rising rents and the cap on Local Housing Allowance are the primary drivers of homelessness, not property licensing.

Work Programme

The panel was scheduled to note the Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Panel Work Programme for 2025/26. This document outlines the topics planned for discussion at future meetings, including updates on the Joyce & Snells Estate regeneration, damp and mould, and Reardon Court. The work programme also details the lead officers and members responsible for each item.