A Revolution in Planning

Nick SmithCheshire West & Cheshire

• Performing well against the national targets but felt we could do better for customers.

• We had seen Case Studies of how some authorities had improved their planning service by designing it around their customers.

• Volunteered for the Planning Advisory Service project pilot in July 2014.

• The purpose of this presentation is to show you what we have achieved since that time and see what you think.

Introduction

Planning decisions by number of days (March 2014-September 2014)

8 weeks

Time – March 2014 to September 2014

Num

ber

of d

ays

Current case load (per Officer at any one time)

‘As is’ process

‘As is’ process

Pre-app phone

Formal pre-app

Consultations

Planning application

Discharge of conditions Committee?Appeals?

• Systems thinking diagrams

To enable the best development

without delay

Purpose

1. Can I build?2. Appraise it3. Get the information you need (to make a

decision)4. Tell the customer they can do it (or why they

can’t)

MethodValue adding steps that help us to enable the best development without delay

• Tested 77 householder applications (as of 23/2/2015)

• Issued 30 householder planning permissions • Average number of days from first contact to

decision being issued for householder applications was 59 days (2014) and with experiment is now 29 days

• Agents/applicants are more open to negotiation to improve schemes

Results so far…

“From submitting the application via the Planning Portal to registration with the LPA, the process was quick and efficient.

It was refreshing to receive feedback on the application at the start of the planning process and not the end which is usually the case with other LPA's, leaving little or no time to make any required amendments.

Overall, we could not be happier with the process”

“It gives us as agents maximum chance to help resolve queries or respond to suggestions”

This is absolutely fabulous - my Client will be extremely pleased at the speed and efficiency with which this has been dealt with.

I can't believe you are calling so quickly - you are obviously not Cheshire East! Direct quote from Michael Gore (MEG Design)

I wish a few more local authorities were as helpful and informative as yours, I was very impressed. (I submit applications across the UK).

Next steps• Test more applications of different type and size• Introduce more Officers to the method (whilst

minimising the disruption to the old system)• Keep learning!• Looking at opportunities for integration with the

Joint Venture project over the coming months

• Shorter end-to-end times• Happier customers• Staff morale• Focusing on one application at a time means

improved quality of decision making

Benefits

• Freeing up capacity to support you• Having a named Planning Officer who is aware

of the application and the issues from the start

• Happier constituents means fewer complaints • Better quality decision making – improves

local environment

Benefits for Members

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all

Peter Drucker

Any questions?