Government pledges to improve planning service

Image caption, Jersey's planning services require "significant improvements", a report found
At a glance
  • The independent review was led by Jim Mackinnon, former chief planner to the Scottish Government
  • Despite the number of major applications being at its lowest for six years, performance over the same period was also at its lowest level
  • The service was found to be "underperforming" and aspects were 鈥渢otally unfit for purpose鈥
  • Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf has pledged to act to improve the service

Jersey's government has pledged to act after a review found its planning department was "underperforming" and required "significant improvements" in its handling of applications.

Issues included delays in registering and processing applications and a dysfunctional IT system, which one employee described as 鈥減rofoundly broken鈥.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf, Environment Minister, said he 鈥渁ccepts the report鈥檚 recommendations in full鈥.

Mr Renouf also outlined an initial overview of actions to be taken.

The independent review, led by Jim Mackinnon, former chief planner to the Scottish Government, found: 鈥淭he number of major applications was its lowest over the last six years, yet performance was at its lowest level over the same period.鈥

The report also found:

  • A process of validating and registering applications 鈥渢otally unfit for purpose鈥
  • Response times to requests for pre-application advice 鈥渇alling well below target鈥
  • Decision times on applications 鈥渨ell below targets and performance deteriorating鈥
  • Far too much expected of 鈥測oung and inexperienced staff鈥
  • 鈥淢ajor concerns鈥 about the quality of customer service
  • No business plan for the planning service
  • "Severely dysfunctional" IT systems

It said procedures for registering and validating applications were of 鈥渕ajor concern鈥 with a commitment to validate applications within five working days having 鈥渇allen by the wayside鈥.

Some were taking weeks or months, it said.

鈥淚t is widely accepted that the Planning Service is underperforming and the need for significant improvements is recognised," it added.

However, the report said guidance given on the likely outcome of a proposal was clear.

It said decision letters were issued promptly and the approach to appeals worked well.

'Embarrassment'

It said the IT systems were 鈥渁 significant barrier at all stages of the process鈥 but acknowledged a new system was under development.

Meanwhile, staff reported feeling 鈥渆mbarrassment" about the standard of service.

The review said there was a 鈥渟hared aspiration鈥 that it would help provide an efficient and effective service.

The report cited recommendations including a new approach to application registration, targets to boost response times and improved training for staff.

Mr Renouf said he had commissioned the review with the understanding that there was a 鈥済reat deal of improvement required鈥.

He said it also highlighted "significant positives.鈥

These included the process of determining applications, the planning committee process and the 鈥渁mbitious and rigorous鈥 Bridging Island Plan, which all contributed to 鈥渞easonable decision-making鈥, he added.

鈥淚鈥檇 like to reassure islanders and staff working within planning services that a series of actions is being progressed, some with immediate effect, to deliver a real change and ensure we are delivering the best service possible," he said.