Item 7 - Planning Performance Framework 22-23
West Dunbartonshire Council · 6 December 2023
Back to Planning Committee — 6 December 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Planning Committee: 6th December 2023 Subject: Planning Performance Framework 2022-23 1. Purpose 1.1 To inform the Committee of the comments recently received from the Scottish Government regarding the Planning Performance Framework submitted by this Council for reporting year 2022-23. 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the Committee notes the content of this report and the comments received from the Scottish Government. 3. Background 3.1 The annual Planning Performance Framework (PPF) was submitted to the Scottish Government at the end of July 2023 and feedback was received in October 2023. The Scottish Government have assessed the Planning Performance Framework against a set of performance markers and it is seen as a measure of continuous improvement. The performance markers give an indication of good performance, good practice and help to identify priority areas for improvement action. This year the Council was paired with Glasgow City Council for the peer review of the reports. An initial meeting took place prior to the writing of the PPF but the peer review is still to take place post submitting the PPF. 4. Main Issues 4.1 The PPF report outlined our performance and demonstrated our achievements, actions and improvements in 2022-23. The Planning Performance Framework was presented again in an online storymap format (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/2c5f79e525ba4c169e1e40f6ba2471 4e). The general format of the report remained around defining and measuring a high quality planning service and it was assessed through quality of outcomes, quality of service and engagement, governance and culture of continuous improvement. The Framework report included case studies in order to showcase good performance, good practice and the use of innovative ideas. 4.2 The Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning Mr Joe Fitzpatrick in the feedback report recognises that the performance against the ITEM 7
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key markers continues to be stable compared to previous periods. It was recognised that it takes a considerable effort to ensure the planning system continues to run efficiently. He recognised that resourcing remains a key priority and there is a need for options that work for all sectors including full cost recovery, local setting of fees, charges for additional services and approaches which could enable authorities to access skills and expertise at the time they require. A National Planning Improvement Co-ordinator, Craig McLaren, has been recently appointed and he will play a pivotal role in supporting improvement and will look at how we can improve the way we measure and assess the performance of the planning system in the future. The National Planning Improvement Co-ordinator will be reviewing the format of the Planning Performance Framework reports. 4.3 The assessment of the annual Planning Performance Framework is based on performance markers which are rated green, amber or red. These ratings are based on the evidence provided within the Planning Performance Framework reports. Where no information or insufficient evidence has been provided a ‘red’ marking has been allocated. This year the Council received 10 green performance markers, 2 amber markers and 1 red marker compared to the previous year of 14 green performance markers, 0 amber markers and only 1 red marker (one marker was not considered this year). The feedback report is contained in Appendix 1. Green performance markers were received this year for processing agreements, early collaboration with applicants and consultees, legal agreements, enforcement charter, continuous improvement, Development Plan Scheme, regular and proportionate policy advice, corporate working across services, the conclusion of legacy cases and sharing good practice, skills and knowledge. Two Amber markings were given for decision making timescales and developer contributions. The timescales for dealing with major applications of 13.4 weeks is slower than the previous year (9.6 weeks), however much faster than the Scottish average of 39.5 weeks. The average timescales of 13.1 weeks for local applications was very slightly slower than the previous year (13 weeks) but faster than the Scottish average of 14.4 weeks, and the average timescales for householder applications of 9.8 weeks is slower than the previous year (8.6 weeks) and is slower than the Scottish average of 8.9 weeks. Good progress was made regarding the range of service improvement commitments identified for the 2022-23 reporting year, with a further 10 commitments for the next reporting year set out along with clear reasoning and benefit in carrying out each one. Developer contributions received an amber marking this year rather than a green marker as it was unclear from the PPF report how developer contributions are set out during the pre-application stage. 4.4 The one red marker was for the Local Development Plan which was adopted in 2010. It was noted however the next Local Development Plan was to be adopted in 2020 however that was delayed but now formally will not be adopted due to a Scottish Minsters Direction. Work has started on a new Local Development Plan and this was set out in the Development Plan Scheme.
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5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues associated with this report. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 None. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There are no risk issues. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 It is not considered that the report or recommendations raise any equalities issues. 8.2 None. 9. Consultation 9.1 No consultation was necessary for the preparation of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The content of this report fully supports the Council’s Strategic Priorities. Pamela Clifford Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 6th December 2023 Person to Contact: Pamela Clifford, Planning & Building Standards Manager, Email: pamela.clifford@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1: Performance Markers Report 2022-23 Background Papers: West Dunbartonshire Council Planning Performance Framework 2022-23: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/2c5f79e525ba4c 169e1e40f6ba24714e Wards Affected: All