PLANNING SERVICES
PLANNING SERVICES
Service
Vision for 2008
Our Business Plan for 2005-2008 is based on consolidating
the progress that has been made to date, and to becoming a recognised excellent
Planning Service. This note sets out
our vision for the Service arranged under Service-specific issues, and more
general, underlying principles.
Service
Related Aims
To deliver a planning service which maintains and enhances
the natural, built and historic environment of the Island.
·
An adopted
Local Development Framework (LDF) will
be in place.
·
The LDF
will be monitored annually, and a detailed report submitted to the Executive.
·
All
planning decisions will be based in a transparent way on the policies in the
LDF.
·
The AONB
will be managed as an attractive, vibrant and economically buoyant part of the
Island.
·
An
up-to-date Historic Environment Record will be published.
·
Detailed
Conservation Area Character Appraisals will be adopted for each of the Island’s
conservation areas.
·
The
environment of the Island will be a main driver for the future of sustainable
tourism.
To deliver a planning service that encourages and promotes
excellent design and building process.
·
Excellent
quality design will be promoted on the Island by the Council, local groups and
organisations involved in the submission of applications.
·
Detailed
guidance notes will be available, publicised and circulated on the Island.
·
The value
added by the Planning Service on planning application determination will be
monitored.
·
Detailed
performance monitoring procedures will be in place for developments in
conservation areas.
·
Eco-friendly
building practices and standards will be encouraged and promoted.
To promote the regeneration and development of
sustainable communities which provide a range of houses and employment
opportunities to meet the needs of Island residents.
·
A
development team approach will oversee the promotion and development of major
strategic sites on the Island.
·
The
Council will actively work in partnership with SEEDA, English Partnerships, the
Isle of Wight Economic Partnership and landowners to secure the development of
employment sties and other economic development proposals.
·
High
quality housing developments will be supported in sustainable locations.
·
There will
be a consistent yield of affordable housing on all sites above identified
thresholds.
·
Proposals
for workspace housing will be supported in appropriate locations.
To ensure that the delivery of the Planning Service
properly and fully contributes to the needs of the community.
·
The
package of community benefits/planning obligations used in negotiations will be
regularly monitored and updated.
·
Community
involvement in the planning obligations process will be encouraged where it is
appropriate to do so.
·
The
Planning Service will monitor its implementation of key LSP policies through
the Development Control process.
·
The
Planning Service will contribute fully and effectively to community events and
initiatives, and will play an active role in the implementation of wider
corporate and community initiatives.
Underlying
Principles
To provide a customer focused service which makes a wide
range of information and advice notes on the planning service.
·
The
delivery of a self-service planning information service through an interactive website.
·
Web-based
access to planning applications end to end.
·
The
availability of high quality detailed information and advisory notes on the
Service.
·
The
availability of planning advice at Service centre across the Island.
·
A wider
range of Council and other services offered from the Seaclose reception.
·
High
quality telephone access to the Planning Service.
·
Ongoing
monitoring of customer perceptions of the Service.
·
Providing
timely feedback to consultants and local residents on the outcomes of planning
applications.
·
Detailed
monitoring of meeting Customer Charter standards.
To value and support our staff and provide opportunities
training, development and career advancement.
·
The
provision of a high quality front and back office environment.
·
The provision
of high quality ICT and technical back up for all officers.
·
Extended
and flexible working arrangements to cater for a range of lifestyle and career
expectations.
·
The
availability of tailor-made training and development plans, including graduate training.
·
Opportunities
for secondment.
·
Sponsorship
for students.
To promote high quality standards in an efficient and
cost-effective way in everything we do.
·
The
Service, and individual team where appropriate, will achieve quality management
systems (such as Total Quality Management, Chartermark or ISO 14001).
·
Ensure
quality in the presentation of the Service’s website and materials and
documents.
·
Ensure
quality in standards of letters and reports.
·
Ensure
quality in our procedures for meeting customers in our Reception area and in
handling telephone calls.
·
Ensure
that we provide a cost-efficient service in accordance with Gershon efficiency
savings.
To engage proactively with local communities, developers
and the media
·
Local
agents and developers will be kept up-to-date with Service issues and other
developments.
·
Relationships
with Town and Parish Councils will be based on common trust and understanding.
·
Press
release will be regularly sent to and used by the local press on achievements
on development on the Island.
·
Local
residents and schools will be extensively involved in environmental
enhancements and countryside management.
·
Regular
newsletters will be produced and circulated widely on the Island.
Structure of Business Plan
In order to focus the service on achieving the
aforementioned improvements the Business Plan allocates key tasks for the next
three years, as follows : -
2005/ 2006
2006/ 2007
2007/ 2008
A fundamental principle in the new business plan is that it is informed by feedback from staff and customers. In order to achieve this, communication and learning from experience and customer contact will be incorporated into the plan. The development of project based working will enable control of delivery of the key tasks and as such, although a basic framework for service delivery exists, it will be reassessed at predetermined dates to ensure the plan is delivering the needs of our customers and community at large. A further development is that the business plan will be available as web pages and will incorporate regular newsletter and comments pages. Access to the plan will be enabled at various levels in order that individuals can understand the plan in detail or at a higher level depending on their personal requirements.
In order that the plan is flexible, the tasks underpinning
these principles will be assessed on an annual basis, allowing the service to
develop focus areas each year.
The basic format for the business plan has been redrawn and
an example is shown below : -
|
Item Number |
1 |
|
Action |
Quarterly newsletter |
|
Responsible person |
Project |
|
Implementation Date |
May 2005 |
|
Budget |
£1000 pa |
|
Outcome Measure |
Newsletter available on Web and in paper copy if required |
|
Monitored By |
Andrew Ashcroft |
|
How outcome is to be achieved and measured |
CJ to produce draft front page Planning Management Team to be consulted on format DH to arrange where copy is to come from Draft Newsletter to be produced and approved Newsletter Published
Reader feedback |
|
Benefits and Risk |
Better informed customers leading to fewer complaints Transparent Service Greater awareness of the planning process Risk :
Complaints |
|
Local PI |
N/A |
|
PDP |
N/A |
|
Training Requirements |
These need to be assessed after first two editions |