One of DETR's objectives is to promote a sustainable pattern of physical development and land and property use in cities, towns and the countryside. The Planning Inspectorate contributes to this objective by promoting full coverage of local plans by local authorities and undertaking planning appeals and other casework in an efficient and effective manner. The National Assembly for Wales now sets the context for our work in Wales.

The business planning process starts with the preparation of internal business plans by Directors for the work of their divisions to reflect anticipated targets and allocations for the coming financial year. The plans are discussed by the Management Board and developed into an overall plan for the Agency, and reviewed when the targets are confirmed. Staff are very much involved in the process and are encouraged to take ownership of their Divisional plans.

This plan has been prepared on the present structure of the Planning Inspectorate and no account has been taken of the potential implications of the Human Rights Act. The targets set by Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales for 2001-2002 are recorded at Annexes C and D.

Resources

The Financial Year 2001-2002 now forms the first year of a revised three year settlement from DETR. The allocation is as follows:

	2001-2002
Admin costs	£35,400,000
Additional admin costs for increased workload	£650,000
Additional admin costs for work likely to arise from	£444,000
the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Capital	£744,000
Capital for Planning Portal project	£2,000,000

The increased level of funding is primarily in response to projected growths in workload, but also provides for implementation of recommendations arising from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee Report and for additional costs associated with the re-location to the new Temple Quay premises. There is no allowance for inflationary pressure, which the Inspectorate is required to absorb through continuing efficiency measures. The table also shows the proposed expenditure on the Planning Portal - a major infrastructure project which will be instrumental in the development of a planning internet service. A total of £3m funding for this project was successfully secured under the Capital Modernisation Fund in 2000-2001.

The anticipated income of £6,900,000 for 2001-2002 arises from the activities shown below:

Activity	Receipts forecast
Development Plan Inquiries	£4,000,000
National Assembly for Wales	£1,750,000
Recoverable Input VAT	£600,000
Treasury Solicitor	£300,000
Miscellaneous income	£250,000
Total	£6,900,000

Workload forecasts

Our projected workloads are set out below and take account of the financial resources available and the need for efficiency in programming.

Planning appeals - England

The forecast intake for new appeals in 2001-2002 is 15,700. Timeliness targets are tighter than in the previous year with 80% of appeals to be decided within 16, 22 and 30 weeks for written representations, hearing and inquiry appeals respectively. In order to achieve these targets, it is vital that the parties to appeals play their role in the process, submitting statements and proofs within the deadlines, and accepting the inquiry or hearing date first offered. It continues to be the case that where a date is refused, some 2-5 weeks can be added to the time taken for the appeal to be decided. Around 60% of first dates offered for inquiries are refused before alternative dates can be fixed. Regrettably, the propensity for parties to refuse first offered dates shows no sign of abating.

From 1 August 2000, new rules were introduced for handling planning appeals in England. They are intended to bring increased fairness and improve the speed and efficiency of the appeals system. The new arrangements are bedding in well and their effectiveness will be reviewed by DETR after they have been operating for some 12 months. Late statements and representations are now only accepted in exceptional circumstances. Despite a clear message at the start that the rules will be enforced, some parties have been surprised that we have been implementing the rules so firmly. However, it is unfair on those who respect the appeal timetable if extra time is given when a deadline is missed other than in extraordinary circumstances. Accordingly, late representations are normally disregarded and returned by the Inspectorate to the sender. DETR Circular 05/2000, which can be found on the Planning Inspectorate web site (www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk), gives full details of the new rules and the timetable.

Planning appeals - Wales

We expect around 700 new appeals in 2001-2002. Targets are slightly tighter this year, with 80% of appeals to be decided in 16, 22 and 30 weeks for written representations, hearing and inquiry appeals respectively. We are confident that we will be able to meet these targets but, as in England, it is important that the parties play their part in the process, accepting inquiry or hearing dates and submitting representations on time. Because of the very small numbers involved, the inquiry target is particularly vulnerable.

Development plans

In 2001-2002 we expect to open up to 63 development plan inquiries in England and Wales, including supplying Inspectors for Public Examinations into Regional Planning Guidance and Examinations in Public for Structure Plans. New requests for an inquiry are subject to a service agreement with the local planning authority concerned. Both the date for an inquiry and the date for delivery of the Inspector's report are closely monitored, allowing all parties to plan their work effectively.

Development plan receipts are expected to total some £4 million per year in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Staged fee increases have been introduced, beginning in December 2000, leading to full cost recovery by 2004-2005.

By 31 December 2000, 83% of local planning authorities had an adopted plan in place, compared with 79% as at 31 December 1999. Forecast coverage by 31 December 2001 is 90%. On the basis of local authority responses to DETR surveys, full coverage is not expected before 2004.

Enforcement notice appeals - England

The forecast intake and output for enforcement notice appeals is around 3,700. Our internal target for 2001-2002 for processing enforcement notice appeals will be tighter, at 36, 36 and 46 weeks for 80% of written representations, hearings and inquiry cases, respectively. New rules aimed at increasing fairness and streamlining procedures are due to be introduced towards the end of the year following widespread consultation. They will bring the enforcement appeal procedures closely into line with those used for planning appeals for ease of use by our customers.

Enforcement notice appeals - Wales

We expect to receive around 200 enforcement appeals in 2001-2002. Our internal target for processing these appeals is 35 and 46 weeks for 80% of written representations and the hearing and inquiry cases, which have a combined target.

The Lord Chancellor's Panel of Independent Inspectors

The Lord Chancellor's Panel deals with Highways and Transport cases, and rights of way casework. The number of rights of way cases is expected to remain stable at between 350 and 370, with the prospect of a further 70 cases being received if cases under Schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are taken on. Transport cases should also remain at the same level as 2000-2001, at about 40 for the year.

Over the period of the Business and Corporate Plan, we are likely to have to deal with new casework resulting from the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Most of this work is not expected to arrive until 2002-2003, but there may be a slight increase in our standard rights of way casework in 2001-2002 if some cases are brought forward as a result of the Act.

Call-in casework

If the pattern of previous years is followed, some 120-150 planning applications will be called-in by the Secretary of State in 2001-2002. The Inspectorate handles the pre-inquiry procedural work for these cases. Our current internal target is to arrange for inquiries to take place within 22 weeks of the date of the call-in letter. Performance can sometimes be affected by factors outside our direct control e.g. the completion of Environmental Assessments.

In Wales a small number of planning applications are called-in and decided by the National Assembly. The Inspectorate provides an Inspector and carries out the pre-inquiry procedural work.

Advertisement appeals

We will continue to assist DETR in their follow up work on the "Outdoor Advertisement Control" consultation paper, which will result in new Advertisement Control Regulations due to be implemented by the end of 2001-2002. New procedure rules will follow. Assuming that the new regulations do not result in an upturn of appeals against discontinuance notices, the number of appeals is expected to remain around 2,400. Our internal target is to decide 80% of appeals by written representations within 16 weeks, and hearings within 22 weeks.

Other casework

The Inspectorate is periodically required to arrange inquiries into a wide range of other appeals or objections under a variety of legislation. One such example is the forthcoming major inquiry into Associated British Ports' proposal for a deep-water container terminal at Dibden Bay, near Southampton. An Inquiry Secretariat has been set up by the Inspectorate to support this inquiry, which is likely to start during 2001.

Our other work is much lower in volume, accounting for approximately 10% of Inspector resources. Potentially, we deal with nearly 200 different types of appeals and orders.

Forecast intake of this work for 2001-2002 is shown below:

Listed building/conservation area consent appeals	750
Listed building/conservation area consent enforcement notice appeals	200
Environment appeals	225
Compulsory Purchase Orders	100
Planning Obligation (Modification and Discharge) appeals	25
Lawful Development Certificates	150
Costs	1500
Land Compensation appeals	20
Purchase Notices	15

Staff numbers

For 2001-2002, staff numbers will be around 676 (full time equivalents) including approximately 240 salaried Inspectors plus around 100 Inspectors on a contract and consultant basis. We recruited 9 new salaried Inspectors in 2000-2001 to take account of the projected increase in workload and to replace those who are retiring in the next year or so. There will be further recruitment of Inspectors to balance the specialist skills required with the anticipated workload but we will be aiming to reduce the overall number of administrative staff through efficiency savings.

Efficiency plan 2001-2002

The target is to achieve a 3% improvement in the use of admin costs, compared to 2000-2001. Measures we will be taking in 2001-2002 include:

Taking on additional work within existing resources

Additional Welsh translation work for and responding to enquiries from National Assembly Members.
Setting up the Planning Portal project and support team.
Administrative staff handling increased levels of casework.

Using resources more efficiently

Administrative staff to support Inspectors in complex cases by organising and classifying representations.
Increased use of Planning Assistants to maximise the use of Inspector time.
Greater use of administrative staff involvement on IT related training, reducing external consultancy costs.
Development of a suite of Performance Indicators for internal use in the monitoring of administrative efficiency.

e-Business Strategy projects

Further moves to electronic working practices arising from the development of e-Business systems to deliver a more efficient, easily accessible, customer focused planning service.
Introduction of computer-assisted Inspector Scheduling IT system leading to staff savings, reduced accommodation needs and the ready access to timely and accurate management information.
Continued roll out of electronic links between home-based Inspectors and the office bringing significant improvements in case handling, the dissemination of up to date information and greater operational efficiency.

Review of existing procedures

Stricter enforcement of deadlines for submission of documents, in line with new rules for handling planning appeals, to improve timeliness.
Merger of administrative procedures for planning and enforcement work will enable workforce to deal with increased caseloads and tighter targets.
Improved arrangements for the recovery of doubtful debts in development plan cases.

Consultancy programme

As an agency, the Inspectorate is required to set out proposals for expenditure on external consultants in our annual Business Plan. We use consultants to provide cost-effective access to specialist skills which are not available in-house and to provide training for staff to enable them to develop new skills.

In 2001-2002, we expect our consultancy fees to be as follows:

Category	Purpose	Estimated cost
Civil Service Reform	Development Centres Equality Proofing	£60,000 £30,000
Management	Business advice to the Management Board Customer Satisfaction Survey Plain English Independent consultancy on e-Business	£15,000 £20,000 £8,000 £19,000
IT	IT Services Branch Contractors	£270,000
Europe & Human Rights	Advice on the implications of new legislation for handling appeals and other casework	£10,000

Civil Service Reform

We will continue to take forward the work underway on the six key themes of the Civil Service Reform programme:

Stronger Leadership

degree feedback for senior managers.

Better Business Planning

Self-assessment against the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model to drive measurement and benchmarking.

Sharper Performance Management

New competency-based appraisal systems for Inspectors and administrative staff.

Improvement in Diversity

The establishment of a Diversity Helpline for internal and external customers.
The introduction of a feed-back/monitoring system for discriminatory incidents at site -visits, hearings and inquiries.
Equality proofing performance management and training and development.
Equality indicators have been incorporated across the competence framework.
All managers have Diversity objectives to deliver.

Bringing On Talent

Interchange/secondment opportunities.
Job shadowing.
Working to improve the Inspector/administrative staff interface by creating opportunities for integrated working and Inspectors coming into the office on a regular basis.
Continuous training for all staff.

A Better Deal for Staff

Development Centre opportunities.
Review of the promotion systems.
360º degree feedback for managers.

e-Business Strategy

The new e-Business Strategy will replace the Information Systems Strategy and involve major changes in our business systems and the way our staff work.

Our e-Business vision is:

By the year 2005, all Inspectorate services will be able to be transacted electronically on demand by the public, local authorities, businesses and other government agencies directly from their own locations. By the year 2003, everyone working for the Inspectorate will have direct access to all the relevant, accurate, timely information, to allow them to do their job more effectively and efficiently, through a single workstation at any location, that will provide user-friendly access to all Inspectorate systems and connections to all customers, both internal and external.

e-Business Strategy Projects planned for 2001-2002 will be funded from the capital allocation and include:

Casework processing, maintenance and support.
IT links to home-based Inspectors.
Technology Refreshment.
Government Secure Intranet (GSI) Enhancements.
Electronic Scheduling of Inquiries.
Document Management System.
Finance - Payment System.
Business Planning Model.
Human Resource Information System.
Payroll Replacement Project.
Intranet maintenance and support.
Web site - further enhancements.

We are already able to offer a number of our services electronically and the Inspectorate is well on the way to meeting the Government's targets of offering 50% of services electronically by 2002 and 100% by 2005.

A key element of our e-Business Strategy is the Planning Portal Programme. The programme is being funded from the Capital Modernisation Fund and consists of two main projects:

The Planning Portal will provide a general advisory service linking the public, business and other users of the planning system to a wide range of advice, guidance and services on planning and related topics. The service will be accessed via a single managed portal that will link all relevant organisations, and will itself be linked to UK Online. The Portal is due to go live in Autumn 2001.

Casework Handling System comprising an electronic planning casework document handling and tracking facility. It is intended to automate the links between the Planning Inspectorate and applicants/appellants, local planning authorities, Government Offices, the National Assembly for Wales and other interested parties. It will provide direct access to the progress and decision stage of the 20,000 or so cases handled by the Inspectorate each year. The service will be accessed via the Planning Portal and will be operational in Spring 2002. A paper based casework system will continue to be available for those people who do not wish to use the Internet service. All appeals will be processed electronically within the Inspectorate whether they are submitted via the Portal or in paper format.

Further details on the Planning Portal Programme can be found at: www.planningportalprogramme.gov.uk

PINS Web site

Since its re-launch in March 2000, the range and extent of information and services made available through our web site (www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk) have increased significantly, and is reflected in the number of "hits" we have received. This supports the drive towards meeting Government targets for electronic service delivery. Plans for future development include:

Electronic versions of the full range of all our printed forms and publications.
A wider range and number of enhanced information rich pages to promote better understanding of our business activities.
The further development of all relevant content to be concurrently available in English and Welsh.
More dynamic content where delivery of information is based on customers' personalised requirements.
Development of the site in eXtensible Mark up Language (XML) in line with the Government's Interoperability Framework proposals to facilitate data integration.
Continue championing effective site accessibility (e.g. Royal National Institute for the Blind).
Integration with the Planning Portal and the Casework Handling System, in the longer term.

Customer Service

In accordance with our objective to operate in a user-friendly way, we will continue to become more customer focused. Our publications explaining procedures for taking part in rights of way cases, advertisement, enforcement and planning appeals, and local inquiries have all received the Plain English Campaign Crystal Mark. As part of our drive to improve the quality and delivery of our services to our customers, we have extended the range of publications available on our web site which now contains guidance booklets on making planning appeals and on the recently introduced changes to procedures. Furthermore, under the e-Business Strategy, we will offer a service which will allow both businesses and private citizens to submit applications and appeals using the communication method of their choice whether it be electronic or the traditional paper based format.

Under the Welsh Language Scheme, the Inspectorate will continue to promote Welsh language training for our staff to increase the number of employees with this skill. We have one Welsh speaking Inspector, three more in training and a further three Welsh speaking Inspectors on the Lord Chancellor's Panel. Furthermore, two of our Cardiff office-based staff are fluent Welsh speakers and three others have some Welsh language skills. We shall also try to expand the range of publications in Welsh.

We will continue to invite local authorities, planning agents and other stakeholders to our offices in Bristol and Cardiff, for informal discussions on planning issues. We also regularly consult the users of the planning system, to check whether any areas for improvement can be identified, and carry out an annual customer satisfaction survey. Customer surveys at inquiries regarding the current decision format will be carried out shortly.

In development plans work we will continue to operate in a user-friendly manner. Inspectors are aware that objectors may not have professional representation and aim to make the process as easy to use as possible. An inquiry may include both round table sessions and hearings, to improve the efficiency of the process and to help objectors to state their cases more effectively. Inspectors use plain language in writing their decisions and reports, and take a business-like approach to the running of inquiries. We encourage local planning authorities to provide suitable and accessible inquiry venues, with appropriate facilities for public use including an inquiry library and photocopying. Local authorities are asked to make suitable arrangements for translation where appropriate, and also to provide for facilities for the visually impaired and the hard of hearing.

During 2001-2002, we will carry out a customer satisfaction survey on our performance in handling rights of way cases and act upon the results.

We have separate dedicated customer support and complaints lines to direct callers to the appropriate contact points. The numbers are 0117 3726372 (general enquiries) and 0117 3728252 (complaints). These two numbers are being widely publicised.

Quality

Our training and quality assurance systems are well established and we remain committed to providing a high standard of service in all areas of our work. The quality of our services will continue to be monitored by the Advisory Panel on Standards, who advise the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales on the maintenance and enhancement of professional standards in the Inspectorate. This monitoring shows that the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard with 99% of casework free from justified complaint. An exacting standard is applied so that even the most minor errors are logged.

Emerging Legislation

The provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will impact on the Inspectorate's work during the Corporate Plan period through its rights of way and access provisions. The bulk of this work is not expected to arise until 2002-2003, although we are providing for some casework to be dealt with in 2001-2002.

Mediation

We will work with DETR in looking closely at how best to make further progress in using mediation techniques across a variety of case types in the light of the results from the mediation pilot study which was published in May 2000.

Re-location to Temple Quay

In April 2001 the Inspectorate moved into new accommodation in Temple Quay House in Bristol. As major occupiers we have led the re-location from the selection of a suitable building to the move preparations and ultimately, later in 2001, a post implementation review. We are looking forward to the benefits that the move will bring. It will certainly provide us with a much better environment to conduct our business, to the benefit of both customers and staff. We shall be sharing the building with the Highways Agency and the Wildlife and Countryside Divisions of DETR (C).

Greening Operations

We remain committed to the continued greening of our operations. Central to the design of our new building at Temple Quay House was a concern that it should be as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible. Our new Facilities Managers, "Aqumen", have been charged with ensuring that the anticipated efficiencies will be delivered and we will be reviewing progress on this with interest. We will be putting in place a new transport plan, which will seek to maximise the potential benefits arising from the proximity of our new office to Temple Meads railway station. Inspectors' casework also is arranged to minimise travel, and the use of public transport encouraged, subject to maintaining the quality of service to customers.