The Assistant Director (Planning) and Assistant Director (Communities) presented the Members of Strategic Environment Committee with an update against the Performance Management Framework, as introduced within the council’s Corporate Plan, for Quarter Three 2019-20 (October to December 2019).

The Assistant Director (Planning) highlighted the following:

·         Planning Policy: In November 2019, MHCLG published table 122 “Net additional dwellings by local authority district, England, 2001-02 to 2018-19”. In Gravesham there were 292 net additions for 2018- 2019.

·         In the year to date our housing association partners delivered 25 new build shared ownership homes which were a mix of 2 and 3 bed houses and 2 bed apartments delivered on Phase 2b of Springhead by Moat. The homes are subject to a nomination agreement to ensure that applicants with a local connection are prioritised.

·         % of ‘Non-Major’ planning applications processed on time has improved from 61% to 77%. The public and Members are seeing improvements and a positive culture is forming.

The Assistant Director (Communities) highlighted the following:

·         A vibrant local economy is a priority in the Corporate Plan.  The town centre has seen a drop in footfall (9% over the last three quarters) which is a concern.

·         The progress with the Reef development will be key to more people working in, visiting and shopping in the Town Centre.

·         Decisions around future public health services will also contribute to people coming into the town.

·         The council  made its case to the Government’s Future High Street Fund in 2019. The bid was unsuccessful, albeit the council continues make progress in working up key elements of its case to increase residential and to broaden the mix of reasons to come into the town centre.

·         Telling our story (the Borough’s story) – the council is doing more work on that, as recommended by the LGA Peer review.

·         Business Growth figures are not in report because this is done on an annual basis.

·         Next year’s Business Award launch which will take place in March and will raise the profile of small businesses.

·         There is a lot of debate around skills and training. The Council is at the forefront with number of apprentices, but needs to make progress with local training providers in respect of raising skills.

The Assistant Director (Communities) and The Assistant Director (Planning) fielded questions from the Committee and highlighted the following:

·         Footfall is measured by a single camera outside McDonalds. St George’s Centre also counts footfall and the Council can work with them.

·         The Council doesn’t have the capability to monitor the footfall in parks, riverside areas etc.

·         The Council has around 17 apprentices and provides work experience opportunities. Further work can be done with key employers in the borough.

·         There is another raft of guidance from the government on Brexit for businesses. The Council is communicating this guidance to local businesses.

·         Business Rates are set nationally but the Council is looking at what  flexibilities there are at a local level.

·         There are lots of innovative solutions out there for windows / doors in conservation areas as set out in the technical guide which is currently out for consultation. The Council has created a quick guide on this matter that is available on its website and this was given to Members in hard copy at Cllr Sangha’s behest.

The Committee noted the Corporate Performance Update - Quarter Three 2019-20.