Planning Inspectorate Agency: Performance Targets (Hansard, 2 April 1998)

§ Baroness Hayman

We 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 while preserving the impartiality and quality for which it is deservedly highly respected, and while seeking also to improve efficiency. The targets are as follows:

Timeliness

(a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined in 18 weeks;
(b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined in 24 weeks;
(c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined in 36 weeks;
(d) To provide an inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 80 per cent. 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;
(e) To deliver 90 per cent. of inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

Financial

(a) Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £839;
(b) Recover 80 per cent. of receipts due within eight weeks of invoice date.

Efficiency

Generate a 3 per cent. 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 per cent. 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.