HC Deb 15 March 2000 vol 346 cc215-6W
Ms Ward

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposes to set the Planning Inspectorate Agency for 2000–01. [115215]

Mr. Raynsford

The Planning Inspectorate has a key role to play in continuing to improve the efficiency and certainty with which the planning system delivers quality services to business and other users. To this end, I have set demanding key performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate for 2000–01. These include tougher targets for handling planning appeals and for providing Inspectors for local plan inquiries. I am also making the Inspectorate's performance in handling plan inquiries the theme for their customer satisfaction survey, with a clear requirement to act upon the results.

The tougher appeals targets which I am setting the Inspectorate to improve the service they deliver to customers makes it even more imperative that all parties to the appeals process play their part by co-operating with the Inspectorate in meeting deadlines and agreeing dates offered for inquiries.

The targets for 2000–01 are as follows:

Timeliness

  1. (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined within 17 weeks;
  2. (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined within 23 weeks;
  3. (c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined within 33 weeks;
  4. (d) to provide an Inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 90 per cent. of cases on the date requested by the local authority, provided that the objection period has ended and at least six months' notice has been given; and
  5. (e) to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

Efficiency To generate a 3 per cent. improvement in the use of running costs compared to 1999–2000.

Quality To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of all the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint.

Information and Guidance To survey customer satisfaction with the Inspectorate's performance in handling development plan inquiries and to act upon the results.