Agenda item

This provides an update on measures being implemented to deliver a step change in the reputation and performance of the BCP Planning Service in order to support the delivery of the Big Plan and other corporate priorities. It follows a previous report on the Planning Service considered by Cabinet in April 2021 and provides a 6-month update on progress since and actions for the next 6 months. The key improvement activities underway since the last report are as follows:

·       Ongoing governance by Planning Improvement Board

·       Appointment of interim Planning Service Director and Development Management Manager

·       Improved use of data to run service

·       Task force approach to dealing with out of time applications and reducing on hand demand

·       Use of outsourcing companies to deal with volumes of work needing to be determined

·       Validation process review

·       Single system and process project moving forward

·       Improved engagement with staff and customers

·       Major recruitment campaign due to start

·       Increased focus on Local Plan progression

·       Structural review to begin

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)         note and endorse the measures underway to improve and transform the planning service;

(b)          approve the actions required for the next 6 months as set out in the report;

(c)          endorse the additional in-year expenditure required to deliver ongoing service improvements for this financial year as shown in the financial implication section;

(d)          agree the proposed funding for the additional expenditure as shown in the financial implication section, with delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer to alter the final funding arrangements once the actual figures at the end of the financial year are known; and

(e)        delegate authority to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to review and deliver improvements to the process around planning application publicity.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

                           Community Safety and Regulatory Services

Reason

To support the transformation of the Planning Service to support the local economy and the areas communities and delivery of the Big Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report provided an update on measures being implemented to deliver a step change in the reputation and performance of the BCP Planning Service in order to support the delivery of the Big Plan and other corporate priorities, and that it follows a previous report on the Planning Service considered by Cabinet in April 2021 and provides a 6-month update on progress since and actions for the next 6 months.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the key improvement activities underway since the last report were as follows:

·      Ongoing governance by Planning Improvement Board

·       Appointment of interim Planning Service Director and Development Management Manager

·      Improved use of data to run service

·      Task force approach to dealing with out of time applications and reducing on hand demand

·      Use of outsourcing companies to deal with volumes of work needing to be determined

·      Validation process review

·      Single system and process project moving forward

·      Improved engagement with staff and customers

·      Major recruitment campaign due to start

·      Increased focus on Local Plan progression

·      Structural review to begin

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board had been understanding of the work which had been carried out and appreciative of the effort which has been made. In addition, the Chairman stressed the importance of the reputation of the council and whilst acknowledging that the council is meeting government targets in respect of dealing with applications in a timely manner that the Board would like data in respect of the numbers of applications and time taken to deal with them. In closing the Chairman of the Board advised that the Board would seeking an update in February/March 2022.

In addition the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that there had been some discussion at the Board with regards to

A member of the Cabinet questioned whether there had been any further discussion with regards to the possibility of moving towards there being three planning committees in future.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that whilst this wasn’t included within the agenda that there had been some discussion regarding this matter at the recent Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting, and that at the meeting there had largely been cross party support for not progressing this at this time whilst dealing with the service improvements. Cabinet was informed that when this was previously brought before Cabinet that the move to three committees had been turned down and that it was felt to be too early to bring the matter back.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)         note and endorse the measures underway to improve and transform the planning service;

(b)          approve the actions required for the next 6 months as set out in the report;

(c)          endorse the additional in-year expenditure required to deliver ongoing service improvements for this financial year as shown in the financial implication section;

(d)          agree the proposed funding for the additional expenditure as shown in the financial implication section, with delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer to alter the final funding arrangements once the actual figures at the end of the financial year are known; and

(e)        delegate authority to the Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to review and deliver improvements to the process around planning application publicity.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

                           Community Safety and Regulatory Services