HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 c598W
Mr. Bradshaw

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposes to set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency for the financial year 1998–99. [37604]

Mr. Caborn

I have today set new performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate Agency under which it will be expected to achieve significantly improved handling times for its work whilst preserving the impartiality and quality for which it is deservedly highly respected, and whilst seeking also to improve efficiency. The targets are as follows:

Timeliness

  1. (a) 80% of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined in 18 weeks;
  2. (b) 80% of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined in 24 weeks;
  3. (c) 80% of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined in 36 weeks;
  4. (d) to provide an Inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 80% of cases on the date requested by a local authority provided that the objection period has ended and at least 6 months' notice has been given;
  5. (e) to deliver 90% of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

Financial

  1. (a) Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £839;
  2. (b) recover 80% of receipts due within 8 weeks of invoice date.

Efficiency Generate a 3% efficiency improvement in the use of running costs compared with 1997–98.

Quality To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretaries of State, annually and following rigorous monitoring that the quality of the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99% of its casework free from justified complaint.

Information and Guidance

To carry out a customer survey of public satisfaction with the Inspectorate's handling of planning appeals dealt with by the written representations procedure.