Agenda item - Report on Learning from the Planning & Building Control Service Redesign

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the context of report and the organisational learning.

64.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources in relation to Report on Learning from the Planning & Building Control Service Redesign. In accordance with the recommendations from a Personnel Appeal Panel to the dispute lodged by Unison on behalf of some staff within the Planning Service, the purpose of the report was to provide an overview to the Committee on the key factors to this dispute and the organisational learning undertaken.  

64.2         In response to Councillor Janio it was clarified that the learning from this issue related to the need for effective communication, and the ensure redesigns were delivered in a timely manner. In response to further questions from Councillor Wealls it was also explained that more specific work would be undertaken to look at how job evaluation panels operated and how they worked with the trade unions.

64.3         In response to Councillor G. Theobald it was clarified that the report only sought to update the Committee as per the recommendation of the Personnel Appeal Sub-Committee; it did not intend to provide an update of the performance of the service generally. By way of update it was explained that the completion times for the consideration of minor applications and the launching of a new ICT software system had both been very successful; the service was now moving to improve businesses processes and customer experience.

64.4         The Chair congratulated the continuous improvement of the Planning Service.

64.5         The Chair put the recommendation to the vote.

64.6       RESOLVED – That the Committee note the context of report and the organisational learning.