Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

To consider the 2018/19 Greater Cambridge Planning Service Business Plan.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy & Transport

       i.          Approved the 2018/19 Greater Cambridge Planning Service Business Plan

     ii.          Delegated authority to the Shared Service Management Board to agree final amendments to the Greater Cambridge Planning Service Business Plan in line with comments received form all partner individual Councils.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development which referred to the strong working relationships between the partner organisations with the shared services increasingly supporting new ways of working, and the potential for greater efficiencies within the organisations particularly around the use of technology and modernisation

The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          There more staff in planning services at South Cambridgeshire District Council who dealt with a higher volume of planning applications per year; the types of applications were also different.

     ii.          The planning service costs of both the City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council shown in the report were made up of net costs; fees were set by Central Government and a series of charged services such as pre application advice. There was a difference in charges between the two authorities and service costs with direct service costs higher for Cambridge City Council.

   iii.          Ways of increasing income were being planned to reduce the net costs.

   iv.          Agreed that it was important that residents and businesses in the city did not feel that they were subsiding SCDC. This would be constantly reviewed but initially there would be an agreement of fixed costs for some services. 

    v.          The City Council had a programme of conservation area appraisals and would look to produce a management plan in conjunction with SCDC.

The Committee (unanimously) endorsed the recommendations..

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.