Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community contained at pages 333 to 338 of the Book of Reports, regarding the Planning Services Review update.

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services provided members with an update of progress made on the Planning Services review, including background, achievements and relevant issues and risks for the future delivery of the plan in order to achieve the best realistic outcomes for the Council.

Following discussion it was felt that regular updates on progress was appropriate via Executive Overview and Scrutiny Members Updates to enable Members to 'Call In' the matter if required. Given the complexity of the review and what is still to be achieved, the Committee also felt that a further in-depth report should be presented to the Committee. In doing so, the Committee were satisfied that Officers were also able to submit a report to an earlier meeting of the Committee should any risk and/or issue warrant such action in the meantime.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Update on progress with implementing the recommendations of the Planning Services review be noted.

2. That future progress reports be reported via the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members Update, unless there are specific recommendations that need consideration by this Committee and Cabinet, and

3. That, a further detailed update report be submitted to Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee in May 2023.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Gaynar Owen)

Councillor Gaynar Owen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Place & Community, which outlined the proposed actions and detailed progress with implementing the recommendations of the planning services review.

The minutes of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 13 January and Planning Committee on 9 February 2022 had been circulated with the agenda.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details set out in the report before it and the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED:     That the Summary Level Project Plan, attached at appendix 1 to the report, be noted and endorsed.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community as contained on pages 783 to 787 of the Book of Reports the purpose of which was to outline the proposed actions and update members on progress with implementing the recommendations of the planning services review.

RESOLVED:      That the agreed comments below be reported back to Cabinet:-

(i)            That it was felt that the proposed structure needed to be reconsidered with regard to Planning and Regulatory Services.

(ii)          That the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services should be a qualified Planner.

(iii)         That all members of the Council should receive planning training before either becoming a member of Planning Committee or acting as a substitute.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Place and Community as contained on pages 1373 to 1386 of the Book of Reports, which outlined the proposed actions and updated Members on progress with implementing the recommendations of the Planning Services Review.

The Corporate Director of Place and Community outlined the report and explained that Red Quadrant had been involved in taking forward the Planning Service Review. The Working Group reviewed 81 approved recommendations which were grouped into 'themes'. These were organised into a Project Plan, covering 58 main actions and further sub-divided into 210 individual tasks. 

She explained that the target dates require some flexibility in delivery, due to the constraints on resources currently being experienced.  She informed that despite this, good progress has been made, with 31% of the actions in progress or completed.  Some of these, included reviewing information currently on the Council website; developing a new appointment booking system for Members who wish to speak directly with Planning Officers; review of the Enforcement and Pre-App process; reviewing the Enforcement Charter, a final version of which will be brought to the appropriate Committee.

In discussion questions and comments were raised in respect of:

·         Planning restructure - request to possibly have an input at Overview & Scrutiny Committee /  Members have input through budget process / delay to the process could be damaging

·         Loss of Senior Posts / will Members see breakdown of Senior post job description and remit

·         Restructure is same capacity as previously with two additional posts within existing budget through delegated authority

·         Booking system for Members – Members to agree a suitable date/time with Case Officer.

·         It was noted that there are 58 main actions and not 56 as stated in paragraph 6.1 of the report

The Chairman and Members of the Committee expressed their thanks for the update and all that has been achieved.

RESOLVED:

A.   That the Committee considered and noted the report on the Planning Services Review and that the Report be forwarded to Cabinet for their consideration.

B.   That a progress update report be presented to Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Autumn 2022.