Agenda item

To receive a report on Planning Services and an update on progress of the Local Plan.

Executive Councillor: T D Sanderson

The Cabinet:

(a)  Agreed on the progress of improvements to the planning service to date; and

(b)  Noted and Agreed the position on the progress of the update to the Local Plan.

With the assistance of a report by the Chief Planning Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet received an update on progress being made to embed improvements and reduce the backlog within the Planning Service, together with an update on progress with the Local Plan.

In introducing the item, the Executive Councillor for Planning reported on several key issues within the report. He was pleased to report a 34% reduction in the number of planning applications waiting over 26 weeks between 24 October 2022 and 1 April 2023 and that the option for applicants to engage in pre-application discussions had been re-established. He also emphasised the change to processes so that amendments to applications were no longer accepted, with the exception of large-scale major applications. In terms of those areas still requiring improvement, Cabinet Members were advised that improvements continued to be required in areas such as planning enforcement, which required an increase in staff.

Having had their attention drawn to the comments of Overview and Scrutiny, the Executive Councillor highlighted that lessons had been learned from complaints taken to the Local Ombudsman; and reiterated that Town or Parish Councils were encouraged to engage with the Planning Team with regards to work on the Local Plan, particularly if the Call for Sites had caused confusion. Cabinet was also reminded that work was being undertaken regarding the governance arrangements for the Community Infrastructure Levy which would consider plans made by Government.

Several matters were then raised and discussed by the Cabinet. This included the potential impact of significant changes in the national approach to plan-making without suitable transition arrangements. The Executive Councillor responded by updating Members on recent announcements and by emphasising the need for changes to be accompanied by adequate resourcing. Cabinet Members also discussed the introduction of the No Amendments Policy which, whilst not to the satisfaction of all, had proved invaluable in improving the quality and speed of decision making. Further, the pre-application advice service and planning conditions assisted in preventing demand for amendments. In recognition of comments expressed by Councillor Pitt, the Executive Councillor suggested that the forthcoming training session for Town and Parish Councils could be used as an opportunity to confirm their understanding of the process and ask them to highlight any difficulties experienced.

Cabinet Members also commented on the growing number of Neighbourhood Plans which had been adopted within the District. In light of their comments about encouraging a greater number of towns and parishes to pursue the adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan, it was again suggested that the forthcoming training session would be an opportunity to promote the Plan process.

It was agreed the Tree Officer start date should read November 2023. Having commended the Planning Teams for their hard work and effort in seeking to achieve the more positive position which the Service now found itself in, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that progress on improvement to the planning service to date be agreed; and

(b)  that the position on the progress of the update to the Local Plan be noted and agreed.