Issue - meetings

To provide information on how the planning application process works once an application is received, particularly centred on showing how an application is assessed, the timescales and the manner in which a decision is made in the context of National and local planning policy.

The Committee considered a report outlining details of the planning process, including how applications are assessed, the timescales involved and the manner in which the decision is made.

In response to a question, it was clarified that the clock started for the application process from the date of receipt of the application and subject to its validation. A new system would be implemented to improve this stage of the process including providing further training to officers validating applications and greater input from senior officers at an earlier stage to ensure more speedy and efficient allocation of applications. Members sought further reassurance over the new system proposed in light on ongoing concerns regarding the performance of the service and quality of applications. As such, it was proposed that members of the Committee undertook a sampling exercise of applications held by the planning service for scrutiny and quality control purposes. It was agreed that a small sub group of the Committee would undertake a case audit on a random basis at a time agreed by the Assistant Director. To provide additional assurance to Members, it was confirmed that an external audit was also being undertaken of cases in relation to the collection of CIL for the Mayor and which would look at data collection and management.

Members raised concern over the variation in quality and accuracy of applications put before Planning Committee and the importance of officers continuing to put emphasis on applicants to improve standards through a rigorous approach to validation. It was suggested that provision of baseline expectations and/or examples of best practice might assist applicants in this regard.

  RESOLVED

·        That the report be noted.