DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS 2002/03

	(1) DTLR Performance Target for 2001/02	(2) DTLR Performance standard for 2001/02	(3) DTLR Performance standard for failing Authorities for 2003/04	(4) DTLR new performance targets for 2002/03	(5) IWC (Dev Con) performance for 2001/02	(6a) IWC (Dev Con) Performance over last quarter	(6b) IWC (Dev Con) Performance for 2002/03				(7) IWC (Dev Con) Performance for 2002/03 Set 5/02	(8) IWC (Dev Con) target 2003/04 Set 5/02
							10/02	12/02	01/03	3/03
a) Number of applications dealt with in 8 weeks	80%	-	-	-	60.5%	70.1%	67.7%	69.1%	69.0%	69.3%	65%	70%
b) Major applications dealt with in 13 weeks	-	28%	50%	60%	20.4%	40.7%	41.3%	42.4%	41.2%	41.9%	45%	50%
c) Minor applications dealt with in 8 weeks	-	37%	55%	65%	52.4%	66.1%	60.0%	61.3%	61.1%	62.5%	55%	65%
d) Other application dealt with in 8 weeks	-	55%	70%	80%	71.3%	78.3%	75.6%	77.3%	77.7%	77.6%	74%	80%
e) Delegated decisions	80%	-	-	90%	80.1%	90.6%	88.2%	88.6%	89.01%	89.2%	84%	85%

I:\SECRETAR\Judith\CSH\DC Performance Analysis.doc

NOTES

(a) Eight week figure deemed to be effectively obsolete by Government as of 31/3/02, but nevertheless continues to be an important measurement of overall performance. IWC performance for 2001/02 [see (a)(5)] represents an 11% improvement on 2000/01 despite a 20% increase in the overall number of applications received over the same period and a similar improvement has been achieved in 2002/03 with a 9% further improvement in performance, despite another substantial increase in the number of applications. The figure for the last financial year (ie. up to 31/3/03) was 69.3%, which was in excess of our target for 2002/03 and extremely close to our target for 2003/04 of 70%. Nevertheless, this still remains short of the 80% target set by the DTLR in 2001/02.

(b) New performance target introduced in November 2001. Performance standard "names and shames" 66 authorities who have failed to achieve a 28% return for 2001/02 [see (b)(2)]. Our performance in 2001/02 [see (b)(5)] means that this Council has been cited as a failing Authority in 2001/02 in this particular area. Consequently, it is imperative that the target for the current financial year [see (b)(7)] achieves the same standard as that expected for the failing Authorities in 2000/01 (ie 45%) and the target for next year (2003/04) is that prescribed by the ODPM [see (b)(8)]. When compared with 2001/02, we have shown a significant improvement, up by 20%, but still remain a few points short of our target for 2002/03. The target for next year 2003/04 of 50% to meet the ODPM performance standard for failing Authorities is extremely challenging if you give due regard to the complications which can beset a major submission and the lack of staff resources, which, as some stage, should be supplemented by a Major Submissions Officer as a new appointment but affected by restructuring and the identified retirement of a very experienced Senior Officer in the next few months.

(c) This is an area where we have achieved the new ODPM performance target [see (c)(4)]. We have exceeded our own target for 2002/03 [see (c)(7) by 7.5%.

(d) Our performance in this area indicates a 7% improvement on 2001/02 beyond our own performance target for 2002/03 and approaching the ODPM performance target of 80%. It is anticipated that our target in 2003/04 of 80% will be achieved in this area.

(e) Following the review of the delegation arrangements, we were below the original ODPM performance target [see (e)(1)] of 80%. However the level of delegation is increasing and is now approaching 90%, which is the new performance targets set by the DTLR [see (e)(4)]. Quite clearly we have exceeded our own targets for 2002/03 and 2003/04 and it is suggested that the target for 2003/04 should be set at 90% with the objective of maintaining that level of delegation, which will help improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of delivery and allow DCC to concentrate on major and/or contentious applications.

NB. The figures appearing in column (6b) IWC (Dev. Con.) Performance for 2002/03 in the right hand column 3/03 are for the whole twelve month period confirming significant improvements in all areas.

C S Hougham

Development Control Manager 1.4.03 (Revised)