Government of Jersey

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

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A decision made 8 September 2010 regarding: Planning Development Control Service - appointment of consultants to assess procedures etc.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2010-0096
Decision Summary Title:	Appointment of consultants to assess the processes, practices and procedures of the Planning Development Control Service		Date of Decision Summary:	8 September 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Acting Assistant Director Performance and Operations		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Oral		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title:	N/A		Date of Written Report:	N/A
Written Report Author:	N/A		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	N/A
Subject: The commissioning of an investigation to understand the qualitative nature of the process, protocols and resources which need to be in place in the Development Control Service to ensure consistent quality decisions are made.
Decision(s): The Minister in consideration of the Terms of Reference of the Review resolves to appoint POS Enterprises Ltd to undertake an investigation to understand the qualitative nature of the process, protocols and resources which need to be in place in the Planning Development Control Service to ensure consistent quality decisions are made.
Reason(s) for Decision: Events throughout the first half of 2010 has led the Minister for Planning and Environment and the Chief Officer for Planning and Environment, to become concerned over some of the processes being undertaken in the planning development control system. There have been a number of incidences in decision making which call into question the consistency of approach being used in the Development Control service. Such incidences appear to involve the lack of a standard approach in the use of conditions, queries over the consistency of recommendations against approved policy, and concerns over how the department is communicating with applicants over process and outcome. Additionally within the context of CSR and indeed a programme of continuing efficiency and improvement of service delivery an examination of all current Development Control planning processes and procedures will aid delivery of more robust procedures, eliminate unnecessary processes, eliminate errors, streamline the service, extend exempted development and save money.
Resource Implications: Cost of the review is likely to be circa £35,000 which can be met from existing departmental budgets for 2010
Action required: POS Enterprises Ltd are to be commissioned to carry out the examination of the Service and present their recommendations accordingly.
Signature: Senator F E Cohen		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):