Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Reid and Scott.

To receive an update report on the Planning Service’s Development Management performance and draft proposed action plan for 2013-14.

The Committee received an update report, requested at the last meeting, on the Development Management service performance assessment in light of ongoing concerns regarding performance, and within the context of proposed government plans to impose penalties on poor performing Local Planning Authorities. The report included an update on improvement actions taken to date as well as those planned for the future in 2013/14. The Committee’s attention was drawn to an error to the table within the report summarising s106 expenditure, where s106 funds agreed for 2011/12 should correctly be listed as £19m and the total £28m. 

A full review of the Development Management service had been undertaken in 2012 partially in response to new government powers to place poor performing authorities on special measures. It was advised that at the current time, based on improved performance in determining major applications during the 2011-13 assessment period, it was anticipated that the Council would avoid falling within the special measures category based on current information. A caveat was however provided that this was in lieu of the government confirming the final assessment criteria which was due to be announced next month. Authorities assessed as meeting this criteria would be named in September. The Committee noted the implications and penalties imposed on authorities falling within this classification. In the interests of transparency, the Committee requested circulation of a full copy of the review document. The Chair agreed to discuss this request with the Cabinet Member and Director Place and Sustainability and update the Committee accordingly.

Following the completion of the review exercise, a service action plan had been developed to address the 14 key areas of improvement identified. Officers advised that the action plan constituted the first step of a long term, iterative process of improvement which would adapt over time and in which the Committee had an important role to play. As part of this, Members were asked to forward any suggestions or ideas on service improvements to the Chair for discussion with Marc.

The Committee expressed concern that Development Management performance issues had not been explicitly identified to the Committee at an earlier stage as part of their remit in maintaining oversight of performance. Although it was acknowledged that regular performance reports had been provided to the Committee, there was agreement that the performance data set and format reported up to meetings should be reviewed in conjunction with input from members of the Committee to ensure clarity and a focus on key indicators. The Chair agreed to arrange this with Marc Dorfman and advise members of the Committee accordingly. Members also asked for consideration to be given to opportunities for Committee members to play a more interactive role with the service in order to gain greater understanding such as arranging shadowing exercises with Planning Officers etc. The Chair agreed to discuss this further with Marc.

Members sought assurances regarding the monitoring arrangements in place for the action plan. It was confirmed that a Development Management Review Action Plan group met fortnightly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

The next ordinary meeting of the Regulatory Committee will be 23 May.

The next scheduled Regulatory Committee meeting was on 23 May.