Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Accepted
Other government departments report mixed views on planning communication quality
Recommendation
Public bodies, including agencies and arms-length bodies sponsored by government departments, who work with local authorities to help deliver health, educational, transport, environmental and other facilities, have a role in the system locally and often make a case for a portion of developer contributions. The Department engages widely with other departments in relation to planning matters. It states that, where developer contributions policy is under consideration, this engagement is targeted towards relevant departments and is proportionate to the level of involvement each department has in the system. But other government departments have mixed views on the quality and timeliness of communication with the Department.41 It told us that it was considering creating a more structured and regular forum for engaging with other government departments on developer contributions.42 37 ILA0004 38 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.9–3.10 39 Q 53 40 Qq 55, 58 41 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.18–1.19 42 Q 35 15
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to provide further details of how it will sponsor more effective communication between government departments, local planning authorities, and the devolved nations, and states that this recommendation is implemented. They will look to build upon and extend existing channels of engagement and will continue to sponsor PAS to provide expert support to LPAs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7. PAC conclusion: The Department does not facilitate effective communication or the sharing of best practice between stakeholders. 7. PAC recommendation: In its Treasury Minute response, the Department should provide the Committee with further details of how it will sponsor more effective communication between: government departments that have a stake in developer contributions; local planning authorities and other local bodies; and the devolved nations, to share best practice. 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 7.2 The department recognises the importance of effective engagement across government departments and with diverse stakeholders. The department will look to build upon and extend existing channels of engagement. It will remain the case that the developer contributions is a predominantly locally-led process, where priorities are rightly determined at the local level; noting that contributions from developers must sit alongside considerations of the overall viability of development schemes. 7.3 The department sponsors PAS to provide expert support to LPAs on a range of planning matters. This includes tailored support to 70 councils between 2021 and 2025 to improve their governance and delivery of developer contributions. Extensive resources have been published on the PAS website, including a good practice guide for Infrastructure Funding Statement, guides for local authorities to improve the governance of developer contributions and how to navigate infrastructure delivery planning. In addition, the government's Chief Planner meets regularly with the Chief Planners of the devolved administrations, and the Chief Planner’s Newsletter provides guidance, policy and legislative updates, and advice to LPAs in England on a regular basis.