Further measures introduced to reduce planning backlog

Surrey Heath Borough Council has introduced further measures to end the backlog of planning applications.

In April 2006 Members agreed that powers (Section 48 of the Scheme of Delegation) could be used to enable Officers to determine the outcome of planning applications because of the significant backlog.

At the time, Members agreed this would be a temporary arrangement until the end of September, however at the Council's Executive meeting on Tuesday, August 15, the committee decided to extend this period for a further six weeks to assist in clearing the backlog.

Between April and May 2005 the number of applications which could not be allocated to an Officer developed quickly when the planning applications team, which was then five officers, found itself reduced to two officers and initial attempts to recruit replacements were unsuccessful.

The backlog peaked at 247 applications. However, through a combination of planning consultants, staff overtime, the filling of staff vacancies and, more recently, the use of Section 48 of the Scheme of Delegation, the backlog has been reduced to 79 applications.

Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services and Special Projects Cllr Stewart Stevenson said: "The major time saving advantage of operating under Section 48 has been in respect of preparations for the committee. Planning Officers have been able to spend less time preparing reports, which is estimated to have saved up to one third per application, enabling a speedier through-put of applications without compromising the professional assessment required."

He continued: "Although there has been unease among some members and residents over the current arrangements, it is hoped extending the operation of Section 48 for a limited time will remove the backlog and lead to a very significant improvement in performance. The planning department is now back to normal levels of staffing and the considerable effort put in by Brian Townley (Head of Built Environment) and his team is commendable."

Under Section 48 Members are given specified periods in which to request a call-in of applications which have been on hold in the backlog and the usual call-in procedure for new applications has been maintained.

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Ref: News 318

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