Issue - meetings

The Deputy Leader (Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services) to submit a report setting out a plan to improve the Planning service, covering six workstreams, including guidance to applicants, staff training and development, member training, digital transformation, customer service and procedure rules (including decision taking).

Cabinet

1)    RECOGNISED the importance of the service to the Council and residents of the Borough, and the significant demand and pressure on the service at present.

2)    NOTED the paper and the need for improvements in the planning process and approves the establishment of a Planning Productivity Plan (PPP), with a Project Oversight Board established to include the relevant Portfolio Holder and Chair of the Planning Committee to maintain effective oversight on progress (terms of reference to be agreed with the Leader, and aforementioned members).

3)    NOTED any proposed changes to procedure rules arising from workstream 6 would follow the normal process for constitutional changes.

4)    DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Interim Director for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Director for Corporate Services to approve a supplementary estimate of up to £150,000 to the Growth and Regeneration budget from the Regeneration and Innovation Reserve.