Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration presenting Members with steps to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service and to look at issues relating to further commercialisation within the service, previously presented to Economy PDG and Cabinet.

The Committee had before it and NOTED a *report from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration on cost recovery and commercialisation in Growth, Economy and Delivery.

The Economic Development Team Leader outlined the contents of the report and explained that it detailed proposed income generation by the team. He explained that opportunities had been looked at through commercial activity studies in other local authorities which had shown different ranges of services offered and management of work space. He informed the Committee that the Council was seeking a small LGA grant to help explore the options for commercialisation and the appropriate vehicle to take it forward.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regenerations explained that the Council were considering a more strategic role and that the LGA grant, along with the Economy PDG, would allow the Council to scope out some options and take a more active role in Mid Devon regeneration.

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Arising from a report of the Head of Planning Economy and Regeneration presenting the steps necessary to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service, and providing an update with regard to potential next steps for further commercialisation within the service, the Economy PDG has made the following recommendation:

a)    The bill of charges for economic development related advice with regard to the planning process laid out in Section 2.0 be approved.

b)    Officers be tasked with seeking LGA funding to help investigate opportunities within the service for further commercialisation including the potential to develop a commercial arm for the delivery of some discretionary services.

Arising from a report of the Head of Planning Economy and Regeneration presenting the steps necessary to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service, and providing an update with regard to potential next steps for further commercialisation within the service, the Economy PDG had made the following recommendation:

a)    The bill of charges for economic development related advice with regard to the planning process laid out in Section 2.0 be approved.

b)    Officers be tasked with seeking LGA funding to help investigate opportunities within the service for further commercialisation including the potential to develop a commercial arm for the delivery of some discretionary services.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the idea of recouping costs related to the discretionary services provided by the Planning Service and focussed on planning performance agreements and pre-application advice.  The second part of the report focussed on commercialisation and how the Council could get involved strategically through property acquisition, commercial employment sites and business opportunities which would bring in an income for the authority.  There was a need to tailor the department’s strengths using the commercial corridors available in the area and therefore the recommendation to seek funding via the Local Government Association was encouraged.

Consideration was given to:

·         Planning Performance Agreements and the delivery of permissions within agreed timescales

·         The commercialisation project would be an exciting opportunity with a view to providing incubator space and start up areas owned by the council for local businesses.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration presenting to Members steps to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery service and to update Members with regard to potential next steps for further commercialisation within the service.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration presenting it with the steps necessary to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service, and updating it with regard to potential next steps for further commercialisation within the service.

The Economy PDG at its March 2019 meeting considered cost recovery opportunities. The Group had expressed concern that charging for business support services could be a disincentive particularly for fledgling companies. The Group had also wished to better understand how other authorities were grappling with these financial challenges. Since the March meeting officers had been undertaking more research. It was felt that of the opportunities relating to cost recovery the area which officers considered could be introduced most simply and quickly and which had the necessary mechanisms in place was the input of the Service into the planning process. This related to both pre-application enquiries and economic development input into Planning Performance Agreements.

Discussions with other local authorities had identified that there were no directly relevant nearby examples of charging for some areas previously considered. More work was required to better understand available opportunities. This would include discussions with relevant development agencies and it was confirmed that the Economic Development team would be applying under the LGA’s Productivity Expert Programme for support from a Local Economic Growth Advisor to advise on opportunities for commercialism within the service.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         What level of support and advice was included within the proposed fees? It was confirmed that supplementary advice was included and this might include a visit. The fees were consistent with other charging schedules in the planning service.

·         The planning pre-application advice fee would be administered through the existing planning administration team; any LGA activity would be administered through the Economic Development team.

·         It was confirmed that under the current arrangement the Council could only seek the recovery of costs.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

a)    The bill of charges for economic development related advice with regard to the planning process laid out in Section 2.0 be approved.

b)    Officers be tasked with seeking LGA funding to help investigate opportunities within the Service for further commercialisation including the potential to develop a commercial arm for the delivery of some discretionary services.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr R J Dolley)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes