Addison & Associates have been commissioned to provide consultancy services in supporting an authority to undertake activity based costing using the Managing Excellent Planning Services tool designed and being rolled out by the Planning Advisory Service specifically for the planning context.  The tool is designed to produce an understanding of the costs involved in delivering the whole planning function including strategic planning, application handling and compliance and delivery.   This will enable managers to clarify how resources are being used, to identify efficiency savings based on current costs and to prepare an action plan to focus improvement.  As information is collected on a common basis it can also be used to compare costs with other authorities using a set of standard planning activities.