Agenda item

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE UPDATE

Minutes:

      i.        The ADP introduced the Development Management Performance Update and advised of improvements in the performance of the Majors and Non-Majors Team, both making a significant advance for the numbers of decisions made within the agreed time limit. He commented that there would be a couple of difficult quarters coming up, which had impacted on non-major performance, this was as a consequence of the introduction of a new planning software. The ADP stated that the quality of decision making remained exceptionally good, above national benchmarks, and he considered this in part was due to the positive relationships held between Officers and Members. Further, under 1% of all appeals in the latest 2 year period for non-majors were overturned by the Planning Inspectorate. With reference to S106 obligations, the ADP informed Members that since the last report another 5 matters had been progressed. He reflected on the impact of Nutrient Neutrality guidance on the Councils ability to progress with S106 agreements and advised that short term mitigation was not anticipated till September, with larger Mitigation predicated for February 2023. The Authority were bound by the constraints of Nutrient Neutrality guidance which would result in extensions of time for S106 obligations.

 

     ii.        The Chairman thanked Officers for their hard work, stating that they were a privilege to work with.

 

    iii.        Cllr R Kershaw echoed the Chairman’s comments and gave a vote of thanks to the Planning Policy Manager who had presented on Nutrient Neutrality at the Town and Parish Forum held that Monday, stating this was well received.

 

   iv.        Cllr G Mancini-Boyle asked what provision there would be to increase the numbers of Planning Officers as a result of a backlog caused by Nutrient Neutrality.

 

     v.        The ADP advised that the Council had a Service Plan set with a 0 based budgeting system. He stated that Officers would continue to make progress with applications, and S106 agreements, and were moving things forward wherever possible. The ADP relayed the timeline for mitigation efforts and commented that he was unsure if additional officers may be required from February 2023, but that service demand was being monitored. He advised if it was determined that support was needed, short term contracts could be established to assist on a time-limited basis.

 

   vi.        Cllr G Mancini-Boyle expressed his support for the DMTL, and relayed positive feedback received from members of his community.

 

  vii.        Cllr A Brown expressed his thanks to Planning Officers and affirmed that contingency plans to cope with the upturn of applications when the Nutrient Neutrality embargo was resolved would be worked on. He acknowledged the challenges in implementation any new software system, but reflected that planning performance figures remained strong which he contended reflected the upholding of standard of integrity between Members and Officers in their respective roles. Cllr A Brown also thanked the Principal Lawyer for progressing with the reported S106 agreements, stating that this was good, demanding work.

 

 viii.        Cllr L Withington reflected on the performance report and noted that around 10% of planning applications came back as invalid. She asked if there were any common causes, what the impact this had on the department with respect of resourcing, and if this figure was in line with other Councils as a standard.

 

   ix.        The ADP reflected that the submitting of Planning Applications was challenging, and that the 10% figure detailed was very good. He advised the Council were working to national validation levels, but were looking to generate local list, stressing the need to engage with developers and agents. The ADP advised he was delighted to report that a Planning Support Manager had been appointed and would be starting the following week, and that they would help to bridge the public with the planning service, working to manage the customer support work. He commented that the Planning Support Manager would be able to look into the common causes for applications being rendered invalid.

 

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