2010 RTPI Planning Convention workshop offered cost-saving ideas to Local Planning Authorities, reports Chris Sheridan.

Local Authority budgets are under scrutiny as efficiency savings and spending priorities are identified. The challenge for many managers is to maintain a good service whilst providing better value to the tax payer. But as this workshop demonstrated, it is only when the costs of running a planning service are fully understood that effective ways to reduce them can be found.

Workshop presenter Jay Patel of Peter Pendleton & Associates led an interactive discussion of ideas and suggestions for planning managers to consider. The session opened with an overview of the costs incurred by some planning services. Data provided by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) offered delegates an insight into the estimated operational costs of providing planning services. County, District, Borough and Unitary Councils were listed with their estimated income and operational costs. Delegates noted four Councils who provide a development management service that pays for itself.

Budget cuts were discussed, with some delegates reportedly having to make annual savings of 30%. There was concern that savings may translate into reducing staff levels (in some cases the 10% is the equivalent of 2 staff). It was the view of some managers that their only option is to reduce the level of service provided, others citing the recent ‘Easy Jet’ approach to delivering planning services.

So how can planning services indentify ways to maintain service levels and reduce costs? This question challenged delegates to think about what they do and why they do it. Some admitted adding to their costs by printing out applications received through the Planning Portal. Others recognised the need to remove historic and unnecessary work processes.

Delegates were invited to work with their neighbouring planning services to better understand costs and quality of service; why not evaluate neighbouring planning services by submitting a ‘test’ application? Validation is one area that illustrates the value of cost comparisons with other planning services. Why does validating a planning application (excluding major applications) cost some Councils £342, but for others it is £690? What can be learned from more cost-effective Councils? If validation is outsourced can quality be maintained and costs reduced?

“Planners should look at the published CIPFA figures and understand the cost base of planning services, said Jay Patel. They may find that their neighbours are providing an equal or better service at a lower cost”.

Further reading:

• The Planning Advisory Service’s (PAS) Managing Excellent Planning Services (MEPS) helps local planning authorities create useful, comparable information about the real costs of providing their service. Further information is available from the PAS website or read the following RTPI article on the publication 'Where does all the money go?'
• The RTPI has also published guidance helping Local Planning Authorities respond to the challenges ahead.

Author:

Chris Sheridan

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

04-Aug-10

Categories:

Planners in the Workplace 

Sections:

Member Services

This article has been read 3004 times.