Planning Agents Forum 13 th July Communications question sent 30 th June 2010 to 184 agents of which 4 were returned from non- valid addresses.. 26 responses Of those 26 1 had ceased trading  1 doesn’t use B+H Council for planning applications 2 had avoided dealing with planning this year 7 thought that things had improved 8 thought that things definitely had not improved (1 thought things had got worse) 7 thought that the situation was ‘hit and miss’ depending on the officer 3 thought that response to contact was better

Planning Agents Forum 13 th July Communications ‘I seem to be able to get hold of the officers but cant get them to do anything.’ ‘Process still seems to be more important to the Council than being proactive in getting a good outcome.’ ‘All officers seem to be very good with regard to ing delegated reports – which is very useful.’ ‘We have found the officers easier to contact, more helpful and performing better in meetings. ‘Would agree their service is improving, room for further improvement, but certainly getting there’ ‘Overall some Officers are better than others, some are extremely helpful and this should be noted in any correspondence.’ ‘Last year I applied for a rear door leading to the garden of a listed building in Sussex Square. It took over 32 copies of the forms together with drawings of a door to obtain approval which took SIX months. Planning No way.’ My experience is that you are only about 10% likely to get through to the right person on the first attempt.

Planning Agents Forum 13 th July Communications Conclusions Experience by agents still mixed Some improvement for some bigger agents Still ‘hit and miss’ Contact times as building control? Mobile numbers? Contact agent 2 weeks before determination?

Planning Agents Forum 13 th July Communications Possible solutions Contact times as Building Control? Give out mobile numbers? Contact agent 2 weeks before determination? Invest in better IT systems?