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Agenda item

Development Management Improvement Programme

Purpose

To provide an update on progress against Phases I and II of the DM Improvement Programme and make recommendations for further improvements (Phase III), following the Planning Advisory Service report.

 

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1)    Note the improvement progress to date, and

2)    Approve the changes detailed in paragraph 5.1

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on progress against Phases I and II of the DM Improvement Programme and make recommendations for further improvements (Phase III), following the Planning Advisory Service report.

 

As the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services had given apologies, The Business Manager for Planning and Sustainability introduced the report to Cabinet.

 

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee did pre-scrutinise this item but did not provide any recommendations to Cabinet.

 

It was noted that the Covid-19 pandemic measures and a 40% increase in workload for officers had caused the drop in service performance.

 

It was highlighted in paragraph 2.3 that an action plan had been created following discussions from management in Publica and the Chief Executive in 2021 which set out changes to improve the overall service.

 

It was noted that there was sustained improvement over the past six quarters in terms of the targets set out and customer satisfaction levels.

 

The report had come to Cabinet as there were also areas which required political approval as detailed in paragraph 5.0 onwards. It was also noted that the measures outlined were part of the best practice from the Planning Advisory Service.

 

It was noted that the Constitution Working Group would examine the proposals regarding the processes for the Review Panel, and then put recommendations to Council.

 

It was noted that the background context of planning services is that local authorities nationally were under pressure due to historic budget constraints. Furthermore, the strict planning policies within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are a unique challenge for the Council.

 

It was also noted that whilst there were frustrations within the National Planning Policy Framework, but that this was the legislation the Council had to abide by in fulfilling its statutory duty.

 

The Chief Executive noted a request for communications around the Development Management Improvement Plan if it was endorsed.

 

The improvements around the use of officer resources which had allowed them to process applications more efficiently was welcomed.

 

It was noted that the improvement of enforcement with the introduction of a ‘harms checklist has helped to reduce the backlog of cases.

 

It was noted that there were still issues around getting responses from statutory consultees to planning applications, and work needed to be done to encourage participation.

 

It was welcomed by Cabinet about the protocol regarding negotiations which should help strengthen the position of officers determining applications.

 

Councillor Ind as an observer noted that residents are not being kept updated on enforcement matters, and there could perhaps communication points built within the checklist. It was noted by the officer that there would be a series of new customer journey to give residents the information they need.

 

Councillor Jenkinson as an observer and a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked about enforcement in the northern part of the Cotswold District. It was noted by the officer that case officers would be allocated specific areas where possible to improve communication with residents, without compromising on the performance of enforcement practice. 

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet AGREED to:

1) NOTE the improvement progress to date, and

2) APPROVE the changes detailed in paragraph 5.1

 

Voting Record - 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention, 1 Did not vote/absent

 

 

For

Against

Abstention

Did not vote/absent

Claire Bloomer

 

 

Juliet Layton

Joe Harris

 

 

 

Lisa Spivey

 

 

 

Mike Evemy

 

 

 

Mike McKeown

 

 

 

Paul Hodgkinson

 

 

 

Tony Dale

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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