Agenda item

This report sets out the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Review into E-Planning Facilities. A copy of the full Final Report is attached and Councillor Runciman, the Chair of the Task Group who undertook the work around this topic, will be in attendance at the meeting to present the report.

RESOLVED:      i)        That Cabinet note the contents of the final report of the E-Planning Facilities Review.

ii)       That the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability will examine, in more detail, the recommendations of the Review as set out at paragraphs 5 and 6 of the cover report, with the Cabinet Member providing an early response to the key issues raised at the meeting and report back to his Decision Session.

REASON:            To fully inform the Cabinet of the outcome of the review.

Councillor Runciman, as Chair of the Task Group who had examined the scrutiny topic based around e-planning facilities, presented the report and recommendations arising from the review.

The review had highlighted problems encountered by Parish Councils and Planning Panels following the introduction of electronic working for dealing with planning applications. This had resulted in a set of recommendations which amongst other things sought training for Parish Councils and Planning Panels together with the provision of rooms at West Offices or local libraries, at minimum cost,  with facilities to view planning applications. Members were asked to support the recommendations, some as a matter of urgency, as Parish Council precepts were now being set. This would have implications if there was a need to include the purchase of additional equipment to display plans.

Members questioned a number of points including:

·        Possible equipment hire

·        Previous lack of interest in Planning Panels in particular wards

·        Effect on income streams in relation to library use

·        Insufficient information relating to financial impact re use of West Offices, level of use, costs etc.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:      i)        That Cabinet note the contents of the final report of the E-Planning Facilities Review.

ii)      That the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability examine, in more detail, the recommendations of the Review as set out at paragraphs 5 and 6 of the cover report, with the Cabinet Member providing an early response to the key issues raised at the meeting and report back to his Decision Session. ^1.

REASON:            To fully inform the Cabinet of the outcome of the review.