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Best Value and Our Targets
Best Value Performance Indicators
Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) are a set of 90 indicators developed by the Government to measure the performance of local authorities. All local authorities must measure themselves against BVPIs. This data is collected and audited annually by the Audit Commission.
There are 3 BVPIs for the Planning Service which measure the speed that applications are determined. BVPI 109 is a three-part target which states:
a) 60% of major applications should be determined within 13 weeks (BVPI 109a)b) 65% of minor applications should be determined within 8 weeks (BVPI 109b)c) 80% of 'other' applications should be determined within 8 weeks (BVPI 109c)
It is important to note that these BVPI targets only measure the speed of the process which is only one aspect of the quality of service offered.
In Sheffield, great care is taken to ensure that speed does not affect the quality of the decision. It would be perverse to achieve fast decisions by shortcutting the negotiations which are essential:
- to help with the regeneration of the city;
- to achieve quality buildings;
- to allow sufficient time for local communities to be properly consulted;
- to prevent unreasonable outcomes for applicants such as quick, but poorly considered refusals.
Since the BVPI 109 targets were introduced, Sheffield’s performance has increased steadily. Between 2002/03 and 2005/06, Sheffield’s performance has increased as follows:
a) BVPI 109a – from 37.1% to 55.2% in targetb) BVPI 109b – from 49.6% to 66.8% in targetc) BVPI 109c – from 73.7% to 87.21 in target.
You can view the performance data for the 2006/07 financial year on our performance page.
Our Targets
The Council now uses a regularly updated Performance Improvement Plan to set targets for achieving speedier planning application decisions.
Our current targets are to achieve:
- Major Applications – average Metropolitan District performance
(This indicator has been selected to represent the highest possible speed for determining Major Applications, without hindering regeneration, quality outcomes or effective community engagement.)
- Minor Applications – top quartile performance
- Other Applications – top quartile performance
All local planning authorities are trying to respond to the Government’s targets, planning decisions are being made faster, and so the top quartile (top 25%) target is getting harder to reach.
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