Agenda item

The Committee received for consideration the Planning Division’s Annual Performance Report for the period April 2017 – March 2018, produced in accordance with the Planning Performance Framework Table for submission to the Welsh Government by the 31^st October each year and evaluation against set indicators and targets. Following evaluation, each local planning authority’s performance would be categorised into one of three performance bands of: Improve (red), Fair (amber), Good (Green) assessed across the following five key aspects of planning service delivery as set:-

Ø  Plan making;

Ø  Efficiency;

Ø  Quality;

Ø  Engagement;

Ø  Enforcement.

The Following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·       Reference was made to Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and to whether the Planning Division had any proposals to issue additional Guidance in the near future, for example in relation to mixed usage.

The Head of Planning advised that although the Division had, over recent years, issued a number of SPG’s any future guidance would, form part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) review process. If, members had any areas they felt could warrant consideration for production of an SPG, they should inform the Forward Planning Section which would examine the feasibility of addressing those within the revised LDP.

·       Reference was made to page 21 of the report on the Planning Division’s operating budget over the period 2012/13 to 2017/18. Clarification was sought on the reasons why actual income accrued consistently fell short of the budgeted income, and if that warranted an examination of the budget target to more accurately reflect actual income levels.

The Head of Planning advised there were a number of factors which impacted on income levels, the most obvious being the numbers and categories of planning applications received for example minor domestic and large industrial/commercial and the level of fees which could be levied against each category.

The level of fee charges was also an issue for Welsh Local Authorities as they were not permitted to process planning applications on a full cost recovery basis, as was the case with English authorities. Whilst the Welsh Government recognised that gap, it expected Welsh local authorities to increase their income levels before it would give consideration to raising planning fees. Consideration was therefore being given to the Authority introducing a schedule of fees for services currently provided free of charge e.g. pre-planning advice. If introduced, the increased income would also assist in reducing, but may not make up the shortfall actual. However, the submission of a few large schemes would assist in reducing the shortfall.

A third aspect related to the costs incurred by the Planning Division in undertaking the Authority’s planning enforcement role which were non-rechargeable. As such, that element of the division’s remit, under current legislation, would never become self-financing.

·       The Head of Planning in response to a question on the decline in the number of planning applications received over the 2012/13 to 2017/18 period advised the primary driver in that regard was the economic climate.

Although the report recorded a decline, it should be recognised the authority dealt with other forms of applications not included within the Annual Monitoring Report to the Welsh Government. Those included applications submitted under Permitted Development Rights (PDR) and also Prior Notifications which it is not allowed to charge for e.g. installation of telecommunication equipment. Consideration was also being given nationally to extending the range of applications to be determined under PDR’s which, if introduced, could further adversely impact on future planning application figures and income levels.

·       Reference was made to page 22 of the report and the risks identified from the loss of skilled personnel within the minerals/waste and building control teams. Clarification was sought on whether that loss could impact on the progression of the revised LDP.

The Head of Planning confirmed progression of the revised LDP took priority over any other work undertaken by the Forward Planning Team. Whereas previously, the team had liaised closely with other sections in the planning division, and other council departments, providing advice and support on such things as the development of planning briefs, its scope to continue that level of involvement was being affected by the LDP’s prioritisation. Having regard to that priority, she was examining the possibility of identifying additional funding to continue support on an in-house basis wherever possible in lieu of engaging external consultants, at increased cost.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received and forwarded to the Welsh Government by the 31^st October Deadline.