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Planning Portal is not only a successful example of technology enablement in service delivery but could prove to be a tremendous asset for local authorities in their quest to develop and deliver citizen centric services, says eGov monitor.

Just under two years ago, the Government unveiled its ambition to develop a world class e-Planning Service which would deliver new, more efficient ways of enabling the community to engage in a shared vision for their local area.

This new service would also enable access to high quality, relevant information and guidance as well as streamlined processes for sharing and exchanging information amongst key players.

Since then, e-Planning has made significant progress towards meeting its goals, and it has been recognised as one of the major successes of technology aided service delivery.  This is especially true for the Planning Portal, which continues to improve itself and has been recognised through numerous awards.

Planning issues are complex and planning decisions require balancing various objectives to ensure sustainable communities.  Tools such as the Planning Portal act as an enabler that makes the planning process more efficient and transparent.  The Portal not only facilitates online planning application but also empowers various stakeholders through relevant knowledge repositories specifically tailored to meet the needs of each group of users.

What’s even more commendable is the Planning Portal team’s proactive approach in engaging with stakeholders, which in turn has helped them meet their various targets and in many cases surpass them.  In other words, the Planning Portal represents a best practice example where technology is enabling government to deliver more efficient, transparent and engaging public services. 

Within the contextual backdrop of the Transformational Government Strategy, the Planning Portal could act as a key enabler and effective partner for local authorities in improved service delivery and engagement with stakeholders. The transformational agenda challenges local councils to develop and deliver technology enabled localised citizen centric services within the wider national framework. 

However, a stumbling block for local authorities in the path of transformed government would be engaging citizens who demonstrate apathy on most issues.  On the other hand, planning issues have always seen strong citizen and community activism and as long as planning impacts on how all of us live and work it will always do so.

Local government across the country should see this activism as an opportunity to proactively engage with citizens and the community at large and look to develop a trusting relationship.  The Planning Portal, with its organisational knowledge and proven ability to engage different sets of stakeholders can prove to be a useful resource and tool in assisting councils in developing this relationship. 

Imagine if a citizen could review all planning applications in the region online, express opinions, review the arguments within the context of the existing laws and regulations through a council micro-site, supported by all the resources and tools of the Planning Portal, then it would be transformed government. 

Further, a council in partnership with the Planning Portal could develop an interactive platform allowing proactive and regular communication with citizens. These active citizens, who usually represent a wide cross-section of stakeholders, could be an ideal pilot group for citizen engagement on wider issues beyond planning.  These pilot projects would provide the foundation for improved public services developed to meet the needs of the specific community and individuals within. Not every community may make use of the planning portal in this way, but local councils may miss out an opportunity if they fail to consider how best they use the unique strengths and experiences of the Portal to build a trusting relationship with their citizens.

The Planning Portal should also be viewed as a tool that helps the councils have a more positive economic impact on their community.  Efficiency gains from direct transactions i.e. online application process is expected to generate £175 million pounds by 2011. The portal is also an excellent example of how technology can enable reductions in bureaucratic red tape and consequentially productivity losses. 

A recent OECD study estimated that the cost of “red tape” in UK could amount to up to £100 billion per year.  It is not being suggested that utilisation of Planning Portal effectively in both public and private sectors could reduce this productivity loss. However, the transformational government strategy requires public sector organisations to look at ways to release resources, with the aid of innovative technical applications, from back office administrative functions and allocate those to the frontline of service delivery. 

In light of public sector spending slowing down while expectations of public service is rising, local councils have to use all available tools that enable them to generate savings to deliver quality services.  Planning Portal is definitely one such tool.

Councils must consider how this best practice tool and its unique strengths can be capitalised to develop and deliver better government.   The opportunity cost of not doing so could be rather high.