Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity (and Deputy Leader) to submit a report seeking the agreement of Cabinet to implement a series of changes to practice and approach to the delivery of the Development Management Service, following the findings of the Planning Review and recommending measures to address the recruitment and retention of staff and to develop and enhance the skill and experience present within the Planning team.

To follow

Cabinet:

1)    ENDORSED the response to the Planning Services Review;

2)    NOTED that the Chief Executive would use delegated authority to effect changes to the staffing establishment, resulting in an increased cost of £12k in 2021/22, rising to up to £48k in the future; provision to be made as part of the 2021/22 budget for this increased cost.

Pranali Parikh, Director for Growth and Regeneration introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek the agreement of Cabinet to implement a series of changes to practice and approach to the delivery of the Development Management Service, following the findings of the Planning Review and recommend measures to address the recruitment and retention of staff and to develop and enhance the skill and experience present within the Planning team.

Ms. Parikh advised that much work had been undertaken and the second stage of work would be implemented over the next year and assessed to identify further improvements.  The Council had taken in to account the impact of Covid-19 and changes to Planning legislation and was ready to implement the proposals detailed in the report.

Ms Parikh highlighted the main themes for change and drew Members attention to the financial implications table at paragraph 9.5 of the report,

advising of a change to the proposal resulting in the software being funded from existing budget and the training cost being covered from the next year’s budget.  This would allow implementation of the new process which required the software sooner.

Councillor Leigh Higgins, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration (and Deputy Leader) advised that the Review had been comprehensive and had engaged officers, Members and stakeholders.  The Chair of Planning Committee had advocated for the Review and Planning Committee had significant input.  He thanked current and former Councillors who had contributed to the work and highlighted that the community, ward councillors and developers were working together on planning applications.  Stakeholders and residents were taking ownership and helping to shape applications and benefit their communities.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Members noted that the Review had been complex and thanked the Chair of Planning Committee, councillors and officers for their work.

·         The reduction in bureaucracy, streamlined process and increased level of stakeholder engagement was welcomed.  It would improve efficiency and provide a more transparent, enhanced service.

·         The recruitment and retention of skilled staff would be improved through the associated changes to develop in house expertise and incentivise the team.

Cabinet:

1)    ENDORSED the response to the Planning Services Review;

2)    NOTED that the Chief Executive would use delegated authority to effect changes to the staffing establishment, resulting in an increased cost of £12k in 2021/22, rising to up to £48k in the future; provision to be made as part of the 2021/22 budget for this increased cost.

Reason for the decision

The proposals within the report and recommendations seek to respond to the most significant aspects of the Planning Services Review in 2019 and make the most impact on the performance of the Development Management Service.  The implementation of these recommendations will improve customer and stakeholder relationships and engagement and provide clarity of roles and responsibilities and an improved level of responsiveness.

It is formulated against the backdrop of increasing complexity of applications and the issues that they raise and rising customer expectations.  It is intended to radically change the manner in which the service is delivered so that the customer experience is more positive and rewarding.

The proposals designed to delivery tangible outcomes are underpinned by a suite of performance measures that are designed to address the staffing and resource issues which have hindered the service in recent years.  A series of measures are proposed to assist in the recruitment and retention of staff, to enhance skill and experience levels within the Planning team and to engage better with stakeholders and Members towards finding solutions to issues arising.  Coupled with improved performance, these will lead to better outcomes and an improved customer journey, displaying greater certainty and coherence.