HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc762-3W
Mr. Geraint Davies

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 1999–2000. [80000]

Mr. Caborn

I have set challenging Key Performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate for 1999–2000. These underline the importance I attach to the role of the Inspectorate in helping to improve the efficiency of the planning system as part of our drive for better public services. Business and the community want a system which combines good quality decision-making with speed and certainty. I have therefore set the Inspectorate especially demanding targets for handling planning appeals and these will become even more demanding in subsequent years. It is vital, however, that 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 1999–2000 are as follows:

Timeliness

  1. (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined in 18 weeks;
  2. (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined in 24 weeks;
  3. (c) 80 per cent. 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 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.
  5. (e) to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

Financial Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £839;

Efficiency Generate a 3 per cent. improvement in the use of running costs compared with 1998–99.

Quality To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and 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 carry out a customer survey of satisfaction with the inquiry and hearing processes for dealing with planning appeals, including the quality of Inspectors' reasoning in reaching a recommendation/decision.

Future Targets for Appeals The timeliness targets for appeals represent the first step towards achieving the very significant improvements in handling times for 2001–02 set out in the Public Services Agreement for DETR. These are that the Inspectorate should decide:

  • 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representation within 16 weeks
  • 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings within 22 weeks
  • 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries within 30 weeks
  • I am also setting the Inspectorate provisional targets for handling planning appeals for the interim year 2000–01. These are to decide planning appeals as follows:
  • 80 per cent. by written representations within 17 weeks
  • 80 per cent. by hearings within 23 weeks
  • 80 per cent. by inquiries within 33 weeks.

I shall confirm the planning appeals timeliness targets for 2000–01 in the light of performance in 1999–2000.