Issue - meetings

To consider performance statistics on Development Management and Building Control.

The Committee received an update report providing performance statistics for Development Management and Building Control services since the last meeting and the ongoing efforts to improve performance and address the historical backlog of applications within the Planning Service. The new report format now showed trend comparisons and progress made addressing performance issues.

A two year action plan was being implemented for the Planning Service, with an immediate focus on improving performance on determining major applications in light of proposed future government reforms. The Committee were advised that the performance of the service was anticipated to be sufficiently improved going forward so as to avoid the government trigger point for placing authorities determining 30% or less of major applications within 13 weeks on special measures. Improvements implemented under the plan included creation of a bespoke team to focus on progressing major applications within the 13 week time limit or to have a performance agreement in place with the developer, weekly monitoring meetings with the Director Place and Sustainability and the Cabinet Member, and providing fortnightly update reports to Director’s Group. It was advised that, where possible, major applications would be brought forward for determination before the end of the current financial year in order to secure a sufficient approval rate over a two year period. Staffing issues were also being addressed within the service including recruitment to a number of additional posts as well as dealing with capability issues where appropriate. An interim Head of Service was in place, with permanent recruitment underway.

The service was making progress in addressing the historical backlog of applications, although it was acknowledged that by virtue of the primary focus remaining on improving performance in relation to majors, there was an associated sacrifice from having to drip feed the backlog of minors and other applications into the system. Performance in relation to appeals remained above London and national benchmarks.

It was agreed that monthly progress update reports would be circulated to Committee members. The Committee also requested that a special meeting be convened within a month to receive an update on progress as concerns remained regarding the performance of the service and that performance targets were set too low. The Committee also requested that details be provided of the other improvement workstreams to be implemented within the service including processes to improve the quality of applications. Members agreed the current need for more regular oversight of performance monitoring of the service by Regulatory Committee, particularly due to the conflict between improving determination timescales whilst also ensuring quality. Cllr Ejiofor put forward a motion, which was carried, that a minimum of six Regulatory Committee meetings a year be scheduled to maintain sufficient oversight and also to receive feedback from the sub group undertaking an audit of cases. 

RESOLVED

·        That the report be noted.