Scottish Government

Foreword by Minister for Housing, Transport and European Affairs

The concept of Best Value in the delivery of local authority services is at the top of our current agenda for local government. In the planning field users of the process must be confident that their planning applications are being handled by councillors and officials who recognise the importance of achieving Best Value. They deserve decisions that are sound, quick and consistent.

The work of the Planning Audit Unit is a particularly good example of how The Scottish Office can work with local authorities to assist them deliver better services. I am heartened by the positive and constructive attitude that planning departments have demonstrated in response to the Planning Audit Unit. They could so easily have resisted outside "interference"; but they didn't and, without exception, have approached the exercise in a positive manner.

This report summarises the lessons learnt from the first year's work of the Planning Audit Unit. The findings are relevant not just to the authorities which have been audited. The lessons apply to planning authorities across Scotland. The report contains much useful material on which authorities should reflect and, where appropriate, take action to improve their service delivery.

One of the main factors which separates local authorities which perform well in relation to the Government's objectives and targets for the planning system and those which fare less well is the quality of management. Managers must take responsibility for ensuring that service standards are set and that staff are deployed in a way which enables them to meet these standards. Clear lines of responsibility have to be identified and measures put in place to ensure that performance targets are consistently met. Effective managers are central to achieving Best Value in development control.

The audits have revealed a number of issues for The Scottish Office to consider. I have asked officials to take these forward in discussion with local authorities over the next 12 months.

I commend this report to all local authorities. Clearly the audit programme cannot be expected to lead to instant results but, given the positive response from local authorities which I have already referred to, I look forward to seeing a general improvement in authorities' development control performance in the future.