Issue - meetings

Report number PLA491 by the Development Control Services Manager.

                                                                                                     (attached)

DECISION:

(1)     To note the ODPM’s award of planning delivery grant of £569,559 to South Kesteven District Council for achieving Best Value performance Indicator Targets and for improvement in performance up to September 2004;

(2)     That the Cabinet’s congratulations be conveyed to the staff of Development Control Services and the Development Control Committee for the hard work and effort put in to this achievement;

(3)     To endorse the development of a strategy for the investment of planning delivery grant into planning services and planning related projects based around the following key issues:

·        Back scanning archived planning files

·        IT initiatives

·        External consultancy of service (particularly administrative function)

·        Replace existing furniture and improve accommodation

·        Input into LDF project to help ensure that an up to date plan is available

·        Staffing issues (additional hours/use of short term consultants)

·        Future projects

·        Financing a district wide housing needs survey

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

(1)       Report number PLA491 by the Development Control Services Manager following the announcement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the annual award of planning delivery grant.  Explanation of the basis of previous years’ grants and why the authority had failed to meet the required targets; the basis for the award of the 2005/06 grant and other factors which are taken into account relative to SKDC;

(2)       The current award (the second highest in the East Midlands) reflects a significant and marked improvement in development control performance resulting in national targets being exceeded.  This has been due to outstanding effort from staff and regulatory committee members to bring about the cultural change which was needed;

(3)       The Government has made clear that future awards of PDG are dependent on authorities’ performance across planning activities.  On this basis it is necessary for officers to develop a strategy for investing the grant award into planning services and planned related projects.