(i)         that the Executive Head of Business Services further explore how we could work with other Local Planning Authorities in relation to the delivery of the Development Management Service to maximise value for money and improve overall resilience of the service; and

(ii)        that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor and Executive Lead for Planning, Transport and Housing and the Executive Head of Business Services, be given delegated authority to explore and establish a suitable partnership arrangement for the delivery of Development Management and Spatial Planning functions with a nearby Local Planning Authority, so that Torbay Council can drive forward, at pace, the necessary modernisation needed to achieve a more sustainable and resilient planning service.

The Transformation Project – Redesign of Spatial Planning was tasked with considering options for Spatial Planning to provide the Council with resilience.  A recent Peer Review of the Council’s Development Management Service made a clear recommendation that ‘the Council should explore further how it could work with other Local Planning Authorities in relation to the delivery of the development management service to maximise value for money and improve overall resilience of the service’.

Alternative options were set out in the submitted report but not discussed.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 11 July 2017 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

A recent Development Management Service Peer Review identified that there was an opportunity, through the better sharing of resources with like-minded Councils, to improve resilience whilst also enhancing the best elements of development management services, such as staff, quality outcomes and local accountability.

Given the ongoing budget pressures, which have resulted in resource constraints, an opportunity exists to consider a partnership arrangement for the delivery of Development Management and Spatial Planning functions with a nearby Local Planning Authority.  This could enable Torbay Council to drive forward, at pace, the necessary modernisation needed to achieve a more sustainable and resilient planning service.

The Mayor considered the recommendations made by the Policy Development and Decision Group and his decision is set out above.

None.