Planning and Regeneration Cabinet Portfolio

The Planning and Regeneration Cabinet Portfolio have identified the following challenges and risks:

Emerging and changes to national planning legislation – the Planning White Paper proposed significant changes to the planning system which are likely to impact on service delivery.

The council has responded to the consultation and will prepare for any changes before they come into effect. Changes to Building Regulations through the Building Safety Bill are also being closely monitored.

Following unitary and the Planning and Environment service review, there is a significant improvement programme to be delivered over the coming years including delivery of savings.

Workstreams in the Planning Improvement Board include:

• customer focus and culture change
• digital
• service standards
• key performance indicators (KPI's)
• finance and commercial

Delivering the single Buckinghamshire-wide Local Plan; meeting the growth expectations set out in national legislation whilst also protecting environmental assets and engaging with diverse communities will be a challenge during the first council administration.

It is our very firm aspiration to develop on brownfield sites ahead of Green Belt and other restrictive areas such as Areas of Natural Beauty (AONB).

Retaining staff to process the significant volume of planning applications received by this Planning Authority every year, in the region of 13,000, is a challenge. The planning service is proactively recruiting to fill key positions.