Community planning services in Glenelg Shire Council : 1998-2005 ...

Did the council have appropriate management arrangements for the delivery of its planning services? 95
In 1999 and 2000, the council also engaged a firm to undertake research on
the level of customer satisfaction with the provision of town planning
services. The research for both years indicated that the town planning
services met the expectations of its clients. Areas where the service could be
improved were also identified.
4.8.2 Internal reviews
Internal review of planning function
In late 2003, the council’s chief executive officer (CEO) became concerned
with a number of process matters involving the planning services unit. This
was triggered, in part, by the CEO’s concerns over the quality of some
planning application decisions and concerns expressed by other agencies. In
response to these concerns, the CEO initiated an internal review of planning
services in early 2004.
The review examined the adequacy of the controls, procedures and service
delivery standards of the planning services unit. The review concluded there
was a need:
to revise current statutory planning systems to engage relevant council
officers and councillors in the decision-making process
for councillors to become more involved in the development and review of
policy to support the decision-making process and ensure good planning
outcomes.
The council adopted these recommendations in June 2004 (further comment is
provided in part 4.9 of this report).
Solicitor’s review
In 2004, the council engaged a solicitor to review the planning contractor’s
performance and provide legal advice to the council on town planning issues.
These findings are discussed elsewhere in this report (see part 3.1.2).
4.8.3 Conclusion
The council’s planning function has been subject to a number of external and
internal reviews over the last 5 years. These have raised a number of
problems with how council planning services are provided.
Despite the council being aware of these issues, it has done little until recently
to address any of these problems.