1. IMPROVING PERFORMANCE IN PLANNING
Presented by:
Dr Theresa Donaldson
Chief Executive Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

2. Aim of the Presentation:
To explain the context, rationale and purpose of planning performance.
To explain the link between community planning, spatial planning and performance improvement.
To advocate for a strategic approach to performance improvement through delivery and land use.

3. 01st April 2015 – Planning Function transfers to Local Government
BACKGROUND
01st April 2015 – Planning Function transfers to Local Government
Unique Opportunity to Develop Relationships
Drive Continuous Improvement
Embed Performance Measures
Change Cultures

4. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT (NI) 2014

5. THE DEFINED AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT:
Strategic effectiveness
Service quality
Service availability
Fairness
Sustainability
Efficiency
Innovation

6. Planning Performance & Community Planning
There is no single model, or definition, of community – their diversity is one of their key strengths.
Meeting the needs of all:-
Industrial
Commercial
Agriculture
Domestic
Community Planning powers are the link.

7. The Interface Between Community planning & Spatial Planning – How they “Fit”
SOCIETAL
Services
Space
Strategic Planning
Economic Issues
Community Planning
Spatial Planning
Environmental Issues
Community Planning
People
Place
POLITICAL
Source: Lloyd, G; Rafferty G; University of Ulster

8. How Have Councils Performed?
REGIONALLY
Planning Applications: ,249 in Q2.
Average Processing Time : Weeks in 1st 6 Months.
Local Planning Applications: Up 7%.
Enforcement Cases: Up 2%.
Conclusion of Enforcement Action: Weeks.

10. Planning Performance: Three Years From April 2015.
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Business Year
Number of Decision
1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016
905
1 April 2015 – 31 March 2017
1135
1 April 2017 – 31 December 2017
832
Total
2872

11. Performance Framework & Transparency
Measuring Performance & Continuous Improvement.
Improving certainty
Refine performance framework
Work continuing on key performance indicators
Developing & sharing best practice between authorities.

12. Performance Framework
Local Priorities Identified in our new Corporate Plan.
SMART Measures Used.
Service Review Plans.
Date Collection & Reporting Systems.
Links to Budget & Fiscal Planning Cycle.
A Role for Audit & Scrutiny.
Benchmarking Capacity.
Making Performance Date Publically Available.

13. Reporting on Performance

14. Planning Into the Future OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Northern Ireland is on a learning journey.
Change being Driven by Performance Management.
Performance objectives developing the relationship between people and place.
Councils now taking a more strategic, Council-led approach.
Involving citizens in place-shaping in delivering sustainable change.

15. Conclusions Keeping the system open & transparent.
Support and build on the performance improvement closely linking community planning and spatial planning.
Continue to communicate, continue to improve communications.
Build on & disseminate best practice on an ongoing basis.
Strategic level approach to the planning issue.

16. THANK YOU QUESTIONS?