We support clients in increasing efficiency and the quality of their service by assessments that include the collection and analysis of data, reporting, and advice on a range of aspects of service including project management, training, communication and systems - all of which contribute to improved performance.
Recent and current projects include:
Planning Advisory Service, Managing Excellent Planning Services
This current project involves 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. 2010
Northern Ireland Audit Office, Review of Northern Ireland Government Planning Service
A review of the government run planning service in relation to all aspects of planning in support of their substantial programme of reform of both planning and local government. The review included working collaboratively with both the NIAO and the Planning Service and included a wide range of interviews as well as desk top research and culminated in recommendations for a new performance management framework for decisions looking at both pre and post devolution in 2011. 2008
PAS - Benchmark for the Spatial Planning Function
Addison & Associates were short listed for 2009 RTPI planning awards for the work undertaken for A Benchmark for the Spatial Planning Function 2008. The development of the benchmark of an ‘ideal planning service’ arose as a result of an initiative by CLG with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA)/ Planning Advisory Service (PAS), to support authorities improve their planning functions, in the context of spatial planning following the 2004 Planning Act. It is intended to reflect the need for the planning function to focus on achieving the sustainable development outcomes for the community it serves and adopting the highest standards for those places. The planning service benchmark provides an objective framework for assessing where authorities are and the actions needed to improve services to secure better outcomes on the ground. The benchmark can be used as a self assessment tool by authorities or by external assessment. It relates directly to both the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) and Service Inspection frameworks. (Follow link to download document http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=29909) Jun 2009
Interim management postings to drive forward progress on key projects – London Borough of Newham, West Northants Joint Planning Unit, Nottingham City
Undertaking diagnostic evaluation workshops to help authorities identify barriers to good performance and actions to improve performance - PAS
Other relevant projects:
Reviewing the process of major application determination and identifying actions to improve performance - DCLG/Cabinet Office
Preparing a diagnostic for identifying barriers to the effective delivery of LDFs - PAS/DCLG
Review of alternative ways to provide a planning service - Southwark
Identification of appropriate performance measures for planning - ODPM/POS
Inspection of the planning service at Havering - AC