HOUSING AND PLANNING DIRECTORATE PLANNING SERVICES QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MEETING 1st AUGUST 2005 1: PERFORMANCE COMMENTARY Planning applications All categories of planning applications (major, minor and other) met their respective targets for the year 2004/05. In addition each category is projecting a performance in the upper quartiles. Since April, performance has improved again. However, this performance has not been at the expense of quality. The appeal rate (a new indicator for 2004/05, for which there is currently no benchmark data) is impressive at just 12% of appeals being allowed, meaning that the Council was successful in 88% of appeal cases. Sustainability (Housing on brownfield land) Continuing regeneration and the protection of greenfield sites means that most new housing development is being constructed on previously used land. In 2004/05 this figure was 94.32%, exceeding the 90% target. Road safety Road safety on Salford’s road has improved significantly in the last decade. In order to measure progress, the government uses baseline figures averaged over the years 1994 – 1998. During this period, on average there were 126 people killed or seriously injured on Salford’s roads each year. Since then, the numbers have been less in every single year. In 2004 there were 92 casualties. The reduction in the number of child casualties is also encouraging. In the baseline years 1994 – 1998 there were on average 25 child casualties per year. In 2004 this had been reduced to 10. Current year data is projecting around 80 casualties overall and 12 child casualties, but these figures should always be treated with caution as accidents by their nature are influenced by random elements. Highway maintenance The government has specified the measures that local authorities should use to determine highway condition. These have been changed several times in recent years so that it is difficult to plot trends. In addition, the measurements laid down are very technical, using numerical indices which are not easy to interpret. Following the creation of Urban Vision, it has been decided to develop more user based satisfaction measures to monitor highway condition. Increased investment over the next few years should see a noticeable improvement in highway condition. Street lighting Street lighting plays an important role in terms of public safety. The city has in excess of 26,000 lighting columns and it is the intention to ensure that at least 99% of these are operating correctly. During the first three months of the year, 99.61% were operating correctly. Disabled access Improvements to local authority buildings for people with disabilities are progressing well with approximately 38% currently compliant. The target for the year is 43% and the programme of works should see this figure achieved and exceeded. 2: MEETING THE CABINET WORKPLAN Reviving Salford city centre Central Salford Vision Framework has been commissioned to guide the work of the URC and partners. This is to be adopted following consultation (target date Winter 2005 / Spring 2006). A Delivery Plan is required once the Vision Framework has been approved: target Winter 2006. Reduce the number killed and seriously injured on Salford’s roads (see also latest performance commentary on Road Safety above) Road safety education, training and publicity schemes continue to be implemented. Infant and junior schools are visited annually and resource packs are left with teachers to be integrated into appropriate topics. All year six pupils attend a multiagency safety exercise and senior schools are visited on request. Cycle training and "kerbcraft" schemes continue to operate throughout he city, although take-up is not universal. A variety of road safety campaigns are supported throughout the year which follow a National and North West agreed calendar in order to achieve maximum impact on specific themes. Monies totalling £600,000 have been made available by the Department for Transport under the ‘Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative’ (NRSI) to tackle accidents, especially those involving child casualties. This is initially targeted at 9 of Salford’s wards classified as being in the top 10% nationally, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Mitigating and adapting for climate change The Draft Replacement UDP specifically requires development to minimise its impact on the Global Environment, with major development proposals required to demonstrate how they will minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The UDP adopts a joined up approach to tackling issues of climate change. There is an emphasis on promoting high density mixed use development in the most accessible locations in the city, an emphasis on reducing car dependency through control of parking provision and investment in public transport, a requirement for development to minimise its impact on the global environment (particularly through the minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions), an emphasis on reducing the risks of flooding through a sequential approach to development and the provision of additional flood defences along the River Irwell, and an emphasis on resource conservation. Improving the streetscene A street scene working group has been established to improve environmental quality. Inspectors from Housing, Environmental Services and Highways are now aware of each other’s enforcement issues. Salford is working closely with Red Rose Forest Team to deliver Green Streets projects which will add value to HMR priorities for block improvements and alleygating. A total of £300K is projected to be spent over the next 3 years. Delivering a fair and accessible planning system The Councils gets 20,000 web hits on the planning site. The quality and accessibility of the site means that the service is now available 24/7. A 2003 customer satisfaction survey showed that 81.3% of people were satisfied with service. This was the best out of 17 North West Councils. A Planning Neighbour Satisfaction survey is currently being carried out (July 2005). Promoting and preserving Salford’s heritage A strategic heritage function is being developed within the Directorate. Work is underway to produce a workplan to address: The protection and enhancement of the historic environment. Conservation Area appraisals. Conservation Area management proposals. Enhancing Chat Moss as a major ecological resource Salford is taking a lead in developing a vision for the future of Chat Moss which comprises 20% of Salford and could satisfy some of the environmental and recreational needs of the city with long term benefits in relation to health, education and the economy. Malcolm Sykes Strategic Director of Housing and Planning BVPI Number Planning Services Performance Indicators 2005/2006 Current position (end of June 2005) A 2004/05 Year end Figure B 2003/04 Top Q'tile Figure C 2003/04 Quartile D 2005/06 Year End Projection E 2005/06 Quartile Estimate F 2005/06 Target G On Target? 99a (i) 99a (ii) 99a (iii) 99b (i) 99b (ii) 99b (iii) 99c (i) 99c (ii) 99c (iii) 100 106 109a 109b 109c 156 Killed / seriously injured. Killed/seriously injured - % change over previous year. Killed/seriously injured - % change over 1994-1998 average. Children killed /seriously injured. Children killed/seriously injured - % change over previous year. Children killed/seriously injured - % change over 1994-1998 average. Slightly injured. Slightly injured - % change over previous year. Slightly injured - % change over 1994-1998 average. Temporary traffic controls or road closure on traffic sensitive roads. The % of new homes built on previously developed land. Percentage of major planning applications determined in 13 weeks. Percentage of minor planning applications determined in 8 weeks. Percentage of other planning applications determined in 8 weeks. The % of local authority buildings accessible to disabled people. 92 1.1% -27.0% 10 -58.3% -60.0% 1088 -9.2% -35.6% 0.1% 94.32% 60.68% 76.76% 83.32% 37.75% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.0% 92.25% 65.86% 66.45% 83.70% 43.00% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 1 1 1 1 2 80 -13.0% -36.5% 12 20.0% -51.2% 1016 -6.6% -39.9% n/a n/a 73.68% 81.25% 89.14% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 1 1 n/a 89 -5.6% -29.2% 17 -5.6% -29.2% 1591 -0.9% -5.8% 0.1% 90% 65.86% 66.45% 83.70% 39% yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes n/a n/a yes yes yes n/a 165 178 187a The % of pedestrian crossings with facilities for disabled people. The % of footpaths and other rights of way, which were easy to use. Condition of footway. Category 1, 1a and 2 footways. 80.4% 66% 58% 94.0% 75.3% 16% 3 3 2 n/a 80% n/a n/a 1 n/a 90% 75.3% 59% n/a yes n/a Plan making: Development Plan. Plan making: Milestones. Plan making: Monitoring Report. The % of appeals allowed against the refusal of planning applications. Quality of service checklist. Rectification of streetlighting faults: non DNO. Rectification of streetlighting faults: DNO. Preserving the Special Character of Conservation Areas. Preserving the Special Character of Conservation Areas: Character Appraisals. Preserving the Special Character of Conservation Areas: Management Proposals. Condition of principal roads. Condition of non-principal roads (classified network). Condition of non-principal roads (unclassified network). Fatalities or injuries on sites supervised by Building Control. The % of streetlights not working. n/a n/a n/a 37.1% 94.4% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 1.13% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 12.0% 94.4% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0.39% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a <40% 94.4% n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 1% n/a n/a n/a yes yes n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a yes yes 200a 200b 200c 204 205 215a 215b 219a 219b 219c 223 224a 224b LPI 23 LPI 24