Planning departments underprepared to deliver reforms

Council planning departments are woefully underprepared to tackle the government’s controversial reform plans, according to a new survey.

The survey by the social enterprise Public Practice highlights a lack of capacity to deliver on the proposals set out in the government’s Planning for the Future white paper.

The vast majority (82%) of respondents answering ‘no’ to the question ‘do you believe your authority has the existing in-house capacity and skills needed to deliver the proposals set out in the white paper without additional resourcing?’.

The remaining 18% of respondents all answered ‘not sure’, with no respondents confident in their authority’s ability to meet the demands of the planning reforms.

As well as a need for additional training and development for existing authority officers, respondents indicated that easier and more affordable access to skilled staff was among their top priorities in terms of additional capacity. Difficulties recruiting the right talent were also cited as one of the main barriers to authorities building capacity in key skillsets

It comes as Public Practice’s latest official partner, the RTPI, calls for vital investment in planning as an essential public service. It has warned £500m is needed over the next five years.

‘Local authorities can use the planning white paper as a platform to claim a more proactive, creative and collaborative role within their local areas,’ said Anna Rose, a non-executive director of Public Practice and head of the Planning Advisory Service

‘If the sector is to be the change that is sought, a commitment to the growth and diversification of place making teams will be required. It is critical that we build both the capacity and capability of teams, ensuring sustainable growth of the professions moving forward. I welcome Public Practice partnering with the RTPI, planning and planners are central to the success of the planning white paper proposals.’

Finn Williams, co-founder and chief executive of Public Practice said: ‘In our experience good planners can work around an imperfect planning system, but a perfect planning system can’t work around a shortage of good planners.

‘It’s the people, even more than the policies, that will determine whether the planning white paper leads to better outcomes on the ground. The RTPI’s support for Public Practice is a great statement of the importance of strengthening public planning, and broadening and diversifying the profession.’

Public Practice is also hosting a virtual event on 10 November, looking at the future of planning. For more information click here.

Photo Credit – Free-Photos (Pixabay)