Agenda item

The Members were presented with an update on the reenly published National Planning Performance Tables.

A report was presented to the 16th August 2018 Committee meeting, informing the Members of the Planning Service’s current performance in processing planning applications which followed the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government publishing a document in November 2016 “Improving Planning Performance – Criteria for Designation”. This set out the criteria the Government intend to use for designating a Local Planning Authority as underperforming and the thresholds that Authorities will be assessed against in the designation rounds which started in the first quarter of 2017/18. In addition, a report was presented to the Committee meeting on the 18th October 2018, in relation to the national performance tables. The government document has been updated in December 2020, and this report is related to the current performance data reported against the updated thresholds and assessment period.

The latest national planning performance statistics were published on the 21st July 2022, by the Government (up to March 2022). The figures up to June 2022 will not be published until later in the autumn. The figures show extracts from the majors and non-majors tables, and are a fantastic example of how far Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council (BwDBC) are continuing to perform since the Planning Service introduced the Improvement Plan in the autumn of 2015.

In the autumn of 2015, BwDBC were ranked 234th out of 336 local planning authorities relating to the determination of major planning applications within 13 weeks and agreed extensions of time (68.4%). The current figures published for the quarter ending March 2022, BwDBC ranking has now rose to 87th place with a performance of 95.3%, a significant improvement. The target set by the Government for the 2 preceding years is 60%. Within the Departmental Business Plan 2019-23, the target is 80%.

There are 58 Unitary local authorities in England and BwDC are placed 12th out of the unitary authorities. With regards to unitary authorities of similar size in population terms i.e. 200,000, BwDBC are placed 6th and with regards to the north-west authorities, BwDBC are placed 12th out of 15.

During the same period in 2015 with regards to non-majors applications (i.e. within 8 weeks and agreed extensions of time), BwDBC were ranked 332 out of 336 local planning authorities (39%). The current figures published for the quarter ending March 2022, BwDBC ranking has now rose to 52nd place with a performance of 95.9%, and another continued excellent performance. The target set by the Government for the preceding 2 years is 70%. Within the Departmental Business Plan 2019-23, the target is 90%.

There are 58 Unitary local authorities in England and BwDC are placed 5th out of the unitary authorities: With regards to the North West authorities, BwDBC are placed 8.

Whilst the Council is currently meeting the Government’s thresholds we must always remain mindful of performance targets as failure to meet the thresholds will see the Local Planning Authority being categorised as underperforming. If the Council were to be designated for poor performance, not only would there be reputational damage and a loss of confidence in the Local Planning Authority, but applicants would be able to by-pass the Council and submit applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate for determination. This would be detrimental to the interests of local democracy. Therefore, it is important that the Council retains sufficient resources to enable the targets to be met and exercises caution in the refusal of major planning applications, ensuring that reasons for refusal can be robustly defended in any subsequent planning appeal.

RESOLVED – That the Planning Department be thanked for their hard work and that the report be noted.