The Head of Planning and Development presented the report regarding Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to the Committee.

It was noted that:

·  A successful Member workshop had taken place in June 2017 to discuss the wider national context of PPAs and how they differed from pre-application advice.

·  PPAs were introduced into the Planning System in April 2008 and paragraph 195 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) stated that “Applicants and local planning authorities should consider the potential of entering into PPAs, where this might achieve a faster and more effective application process”.

·  In effect the PPAs would provide certainty regarding time frames, which were essential to good project management. PPAs allowed the local planning authority to set its benchmarks in terms of quality standards. Both of these aspects were of benefit to the Council.

·  A Technical Officer would be employed to have responsibility of the administration and management of the PPAs.

In response to a question from the Committee, the Head of Planning and Development emphasised that a PPA was not a guarantee, nor an indication of likelihood that the application would be approved. It related to the process of considering development proposals and not to the decision itself.

The Committee were keen to receive a report which reviewed PPAs in a year’s time to affirm whether the process worked and whether the fees were appropriate.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the introduction of PPAs and the associated proposed fees in the report be approved.

2.  That a report be presented to this Committee in a year’s time to review Planning Performance Agreements.

Voting: For – 7   Against – 1   Abstention – 1