Published on Wednesday 10 November 2021
Later this month, BCP Council’s Cabinet will review the positive and transformational improvements it proposes to make over the next six months. The Cabinet report, which also acknowledges the progress made to date, is part of the council’s ongoing Planning Improvement Journey.
In April 2021, BCP Council’s Cabinet agreed new measures to help support its Planning Service, following acknowledgements of high and increasing work volumes whilst carrying staff vacancies and legacy processes that required improvement.
BCP Council recently launched its Big Plan for the area, which sets a clear direction to harness the full potential of its coastline of opportunity and make the BCP area a place where people and businesses want to be. In order to support the delivery of the Big Plan and other corporate priorities, measures need to be implemented to improve the reputation and performance of the council’s Planning Service.
In recent months, significant improvements have been made, including the Appointment of an Interim Planning Director who will lead the Planning Service transformation programme.
The report, which seeks Cabinet approval to endorse the planned improvements, includes a funding plan to invest further in the service to address ongoing demands over the rest of this financial year.
Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Development, Growth & Regeneration, said: "I’m pleased to be able to issue this update on our Planning Improvement Journey. It is of course important to review our progress, but our emphasis must stay future focussed, whilst making a conscious shift to move to a more data-driven service.
"We have been clear that our area aims to be one of the best coastal places in the world to live, work, invest and play and so we need a Planning Service to reflect this.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated and hard working planning staff. This report acknowledges the difficulties and pressures on the service but it is reassuring to see the improvements continue to be made."
BCP Council’s Cabinet will consider the report at its next meeting on Wednesday 24 November. You can view the full agenda here.