Agenda item

Members were updated on the recently published National Planning Performance Tables.

The last report on the National Planning Performance Tables was presented to the 15th September 2022 Committee meeting, informing the Members of the Government’s intention to use the tables 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. The thresholds were 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 30th March 2023, by the Government (up to December 2022).

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 table ‘figure 1’ in the report shows the current figures published for the quarter ending December 2022, BwDBC’s rank has now rose to 62nd place with a performance of 97.2%, out of 329 local planning authorities (top 19%), 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%

During the same period 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 table ‘figure 2’ in the report shows with the current figures published for the quarter ending December 2022, BwDBC’s rank has now rose to 39th place with a performance of 96.3%, out of 329 local planning authorities (top 12%), 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%.

It was also noted that on the 12th May 2023, it was announced that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP (SoS) moved a step closer to stripping ten councils of their planning powers, stating he is looking to place them in “special measures” for slow decision making, unless their performance improved by June. This would allow developers to submit applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) under powers outlined in section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act. The SoS wrote to the ten councils on the 12th April 2023, that failed to determine applications within the statutory determination period in the two years up to December 2022.

Although BwDBC 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. For the period April 2022 to April 2023, 93% of the decisions made by the Council were under delegated powers in accordance with the adopted Scheme of Delegation, and reflects the measures that were introduced in the 2015 Planning Service Improvement Plan.

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