Council’s planning service rated ‘good’
News release dated 21 September 2005 about the Council’s planning service rating.
The Borough Council’s planning service has been judged a ‘good’ service with ‘promising’ prospects for improvement, in a review by the Audit Commission.
The Audit Commission inspection gave the service a score of two stars, on a scale of zero to three stars.
The Commission was impressed with the work the Council has put in to improving its planning service since their last inspection in 2003, and its plans to make further improvements to provide an even better service in the future.
Download the report
The main findings are outlined below - but you can download the Audit Commission report here.
Good results
They found that the service is delivering good results and it is working to protect the environment, including Green Belt, and improve run-down areas.
They also found that the Council has significantly improved its speed of dealing with planning applications.
In 2004-2005 planners dealt with 82 per cent of applications within eight weeks – above the England average of 77 per cent and placing Reigate and Banstead's performance in the top 25 per cent of councils nationally.
When developers appeal against being refused planning permission the Council wins its case more often and when people ignore planning rules the Council is dealing effectively with enforcement.
Excellent support
The report notes the good range of guidance available to customers, including on the Council’s website, and the facilities for the public at planning committee meetings.
It finds that these are backed up by excellent reception, Help Shops and Help Line services.
The inspection, which was carried out in April 2005, concluded that the Council has “sound improvement plans to address most current challenges and maintain improvement”.
"Great achievement"
Cllr Philip Circus, Executive Member for Environment, said: “We welcome the outcome of the appraisal, and are pleased that the inspectors recognised the significant progress that has been made since our last inspection in 2003.
"This is a great achievement for the staff who work so hard for the residents of the Borough and it demonstrates our commitment to improving service for our customers.
“We have introduced a wide range of improvements over the last two years and it is gratifying that all our hard work has been recognised by the Audit Commission.
“The Council has already been awarded over £1 million in government grant over the last three years, in recognition of the improved service, and has been named by the government as one of the most improved planning authorities in the country. To now be awarded two stars is the icing on the cake.
“There are a couple of areas which have been identified where we could do better, and we will be working to address these.
“We have every reason to be confident about the service we provide in the future.”
Some of the other points noted in the inspector’s report are that:
- the Council has up to date planning policies to guide development in its local plan, and it is progressing its local development framework;
- the Council is delivering a wide range of new housing to meet local needs and effectively securing good levels of affordable housing;
- it is acting to improve environments through regeneration projects;
- it is active in protecting the environment and the Council applies Green Belt policy effectively.
An example of this is that 95 percent of new homes are built on previously developed land, around three times the regional average.
Delighted
Cllr Mike Miller, Chairman of the Planning Committee said: “I am delighted with the result. Our staff and councillors work very hard to balance new development with protection of our environment and to provide a good service to our customers, whether they are local residents and businesses or developers.”
Among the raft of service improvements introduced over the last two years are
- more trained staff to deal with planning enquiries over the telephone;
- clear and concise leaflets available by post and in Help Shops and
- measures to encourage the public to play a greater role in Planning Committee meetings, such as the introduction of public speaking.
A wide range of information on development control is now available on the Council’s website, including forms to download for a whole range of planning applications.
One of the most notable additions to the website has been the introduction of an online planning application search, allowing the public to search for, track the progress of and comment on planning applications. A national survey of planning websites showed it to be amongst the best 25 per cent of council websites nationally.
New guidelines have also been introduced to protect the character of the Borough’s towns and villages, and the Council now demands that design statements are submitted with applications to ensure that new buildings and extensions fit in with their surroundings.
Starting next month the Council will be consulting customers about the improvements they would like to see next to the planning service.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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