At next week’s Cabinet meeting, members will be hearing about some progress on the much-anticipated Root and Branch Review (R&BR).
An overall R&BR report will be going to the January Cabinet meeting, but this month’s papers focus on the conclusion of an ongoing review in Planning Services.
Papers reveal that within Planning Services a review of what is delivered and how is still ongoing, with the Cabinet member responsible, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, having met members of staff and attended management and team meetings.
Due to concerns being highlighted about the planned high level of housing growth across the Island, the report says a review is planned of policy SP2 of the Island Plan Core Strategy.
This will review the level of housing planned for the Island and also the distribution of new housing provision across the Island.
As part of that review, a review of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) is already underway and results will be fed back to the Cabinet following its completion in February 2014.
Cost of review between £70-£80,000
Papers state the potential cost of the review will be between £70-£80k, but also points out this cost will be met from savings within the Planning Service.
The scope of the review is detailed as follows:
a) To consider how planning services can be delivered in an effective and affordable way but concentrating on meeting the needs of the Isle of Wight in terms of
housing, maintenance of the environment and economic regenerationb) To consider
- The scope and effectiveness of current policies in relation to maintenance of the environment and economic regeneration.
- The scope and effectiveness of current policies used to determine planning applications
- The organisation of planning services to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of services
- Planning enforcement
- The relationship of the planning function of the Isle of Wight Council to other service areas and the promotion of appropriate interaction with other service areas to ensure both efficiency and informed appropriate decision making.
Members will be asked to simply note the progress made so far and the potential cost of the review.
The paper
Full details of the Planning Services review are outlined in the paper below
