Audit Commission

The planning service provided by Sedgemoor District Council is 'fair' and has 'uncertain prospects for improvement', according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.

On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission inspection team gave the service a 'fair', one-star rating. This is because the planning service contributes positively to the regeneration of the area by providing new homes and better job opportunities for local people. It is preparing sound plans and works well with partner organisations to overcome constraints to the planned growth of the area such as flooding and motorway access. However, despite some recent improvement, the service has not kept up with better performing councils, does not match the rising expectations of users, and decides planning applications too slowly.

Sophie Trim, Audit Commission senior manager, said:
'The Council is strongly committed to improving the planning service and has responded positively to the findings of our on-site work in March of this year. There are already encouraging signs of progress, particularly in the speed of dealing with planning applications. However, much remains to be done if the Council is to improve further and match the performance of the best councils. It needs to focus on improving the things that are important to users, and make sure the service provides good value for money.'

Strengths include:

• The service contributes positively to the regeneration of the area by increasing the supply of affordable homes and providing new employment opportunities.
• Planning decisions are made in a fair and transparent way and are well supported on appeal.
• The Council works with a wide range of partner organisations to tackle constraints such as flooding and make sure that communities benefit from new investment coming to the area.
• The Council’s planning strategy helps it to guide new investment to the best locations, while protecting the countryside, and local heritage.

Areas for improvement include:

• The service is not tailored around the needs of its customers. Users have few opportunities to comment on the quality of service they receive or identify areas for improvement.
• Planning information and guidance is limited and is not well publicised.
• The service does not know whether it delivers value for money or make sure that this is improving over time.
• The Council does not consistently monitor whether new schemes are built in accordance with the plans it approves.

To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:

• Improve the experience of customers by involving them more in improving the service and setting the standards of service they receive.
• Demonstrate value for money by measuring costs, comparing these with others and assessing them against what the service is achieving.
• Create a single, coherent improvement plan for the whole service, based on a clear, longer-term vision for what the service is aiming to achieve.
• Provide strong leadership and direction to the service to manage the process of major change and bring partners, councillors and staff on board.

Notes to editors

1. The planning service in Sedgemoor employs 26.2 full-time equivalent staff and cost just under £1.5 million in 2008/09 (£480,000 net once adjusted for income of £987,830). The service operates within a strict legal framework and receives direction through national policy guidance.
2. The service includes the following functions: forward planning (including preparation of the local development framework or LDF); deciding planning and other applications and dealing with any subsequent appeals (known as development control); and enforcement of planning regulations. The service also provides advice to developers, local people and councillors.
3. The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
4. Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
5. As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
6. Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from - http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk