Service Delivery Plan 2017/18 - Derry and...

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Service Delivery Plan 2017/18Enter Directorate Name

Derry City and Strabane District Council

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Contents

Section One: Directorate Profile/Summary

1.1 Purpose of Directorate

1.2 Services Provided

1.3 Summary of Resources

Section Two: Achievements 2016/17

2.1 Highlights

2.2 Progress Update

Section Three: Improvement Planning and Service Delivery

3.1 2017/18 Directorate Improvement Objectives

3.2 Rationale for Selection of Improvement Objectives

3.3 Mainstreaming the Equality and Disability Duties

3.4 Improvement Delivery Plan

3.5 Measures of Success and Performance

Section Four: Contacts

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Environment & Regeneration

Service Delivery Plan 2017/18

1 Section One: Directorate Profile / Summary

1.1 Purpose of Directorate

The Environment & Regeneration Directorate plays a key role in driving forward and facilitating sustainable physical and environmental improvement and regeneration throughout the area. The directorate leads on the Council’s objective to protect our environment and deliver physical regeneration and key outcomes as identified in the corporate plan. These include:

Leading on the preparation, consultation on and making of a Local Development Plan to inform the policy framework and land use proposals that will be used to guide development decisions in the new Council area.

Harnessing the potential of the new power of planning to capture the benefits and synergies of the Community Planning process and in working with other Directorates and external partners to deliver on social, economic and environmental regeneration across the new Council area.

Administering impartial and efficient Development Control and enforcement systems to balance development needs and the protection of the Environment.

Developing resource and waste management strategies, policies and practices to enhance environmental sustainability and local community and economic regeneration.

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Providing a ‘total place’ approach to delivering consistently high quality, value for money, customer focused, environmental and technical services and facilities supported by an efficient and robust operational procedures and management and leading on all aspects of environmental regeneration.

Ensuring buildings in DC&SDC area are safe, accessible, healthy and energy efficient through effective and efficient processing of building regulation applications.

1.2 Services Provided

The role of the directorate includes providing the following functions:

Planning

To carry out the Development Management function for all Local and Major planning applications which are made in the new Council area and those inherited from the DOE. (To take sound, timely planning decisions whilst taking into account material considerations, including the LDP and the existing policy and legislative framework and all other relevant planning considerations)

To ensure the production of a sound and sustainable Local Development Plan as close as possible to those objectives set in the Agreed Timetable.

To carry out enforcement, by investigating breaches of planning control and regulate Unauthorised development and where appropriate take legal action by serving Enforcement Notices, Breach of Condition Notices, Contravention Notices, Stop Notices or Injunctions.

To serve Tree Preservation Orders and manage existing TPO’s or permissions/sites with conditions protecting trees when appropriate. To designate Conservation Areas or alter/amend Conservation Areas and produce relevant Conservation Area guidance when

appropriate. Offer advice and guidance on relevant projects /schemes within the Conservation Areas and buildings/sites with Built heritage value.

To provide general advice and guidance to wider Council, statutory bodies and agencies, private sector on Regeneration Projects and Masterplans for Community development schemes and public and private developers.

To process specialist planning applications following transfer to Local Government including, Retail, Renewable energy applications including Windfarms, Solar farms, Anerobic Digestors, Waste and Quarries.

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To provide pre-Application Discussions and Preliminary Inquiries for Major and Local planning applications and process Pre-Application Notices and advice for major applications.

To issue certificates of Lawful Development/Permitted development, discharging of conditions and Minor amendments/ advice. To give specialists Consents and powers including ; Advertisement Consents, Conservation Area Consents, Demolition Consents,

Revocations. To prepare, coordinate/negotiate Legal Planning Agreements for Major Planning Applications including housing and regeneration

schemes.

Regeneration

To lead on heritage-led Regeneration To undertake physical Streetscape Improvements (ReStore, Visitor Signage, Dereliction Upgrade) To coordinate Public Realm Improvements (transferring from DSD) To undertake regeneration Master-planning To provide regeneration grant administration To coordinate strategic partnerships relating to regeneration To undertake external grant sourcing

Capital Development & Building Control

The Capital Development Section is the construction design consultancy of Derry City & Strabane District Council. It is a multi-disciplinary team providing civil & structural engineering, architectural, cost engineering, arboricultural and landscape architectural design services, along with project management, planning and programming services on Council’s capital projects and for other partnering stakeholders and central government departments. The composition of the services provided within each of the above areas of expertise is set out below.

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Additional services provided by Capital Development Section include the management of the provision of street signage and bus shelters within the Council area and the allocation of street naming and postal numbering for new housing developments in the City.

Project Management, Planning & Programming To provide Project Management and Governance of Construction Projects To provide Procurement Strategy & Management To produce Design Briefs & Terms of Reference To award contracts To provide Programme Management To undertake Claims Prevention and Management To manage External Consultants and Contractors To provide technical input to Economic Appraisals & Business Cases To undertake Risk Management To advise on CDM Regulations & associated Client Responsibilities

Engineering Services To provide Structural Engineering Advice & Design To provide Civil Engineering Advice & Design To provide Geo-technical Advice To undertake Building and Land Surveys To undertake Site Supervision and Contract Administration

Architectural Services To undertake Architectural Design To undertake Conservation & Management of Historic Buildings To undertake Site Supervision and Contract Administration

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Landscape Architectural Services To provide Landscape Architectural Design To design Playparks & Playing Fields (Grass & Synthetic) To undertake Arboricultural Advice To provide Site Supervision and Contract Administration

Cost Engineering To undertake Measurement & Billing of Works To provide Cost Estimates & Cost Planning To undertake Financial Contract Management To undertake Contractor Negotiations To undertake Contract Performance Management

Building Control enforces building regulations to ensure minimum standards of Health & Safety apply to all buildings within the Council area.

Building Control Services

To examine applications submitted under Building Regulations To inspect building work in progress To provide an advisory service in respect of Building Regulations To administer the issue of Property Certificates To provide technical advice on the suitability of premises for the granting of licences for public entertainments, cinemas, storage of

petroleum spirit and other such licences To advise on dangerous structures To advise on P Factors in relation to Safety at Sports Grounds

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To deliver information and training events for the building industry on the Building Regulations and other legislation To advise on Public Safety at Events To enforce the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations

Environment

The Environment sections provide a range of diverse customer focused services to ratepayers across their respective districts split into 4 main service areas consisting of Waste Management, Cemeteries and Grounds Maintenance, Property and Fleet and Parks Development / Management.

Included within the 4 main service areas are individual service including for example refuse collection, street cleansing, provision of cemeteries and burials, pitch maintenance, parks and play area management etc. In addition the sections also provides an internal maintenance service for Councils property and estates and have responsibility for the provision, operation and maintenance of Councils fleet of vehicles and equipment.

The services provided by the team include:

To undertake Parks, Play and Greenway Development To undertake Environmental Improvements To manage Countryside Access and Biodiversity To undertake Grounds Maintenance and Cemeteries To provide Street Cleansing and Public Realm management To undertake Property Maintenance To provide Refuse Collection To undertake Waste and Resource Management To provide Property Plant and Fleet Asset Maintenance

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1.3 Summary of Resources

Financial Resources

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1.3.1 The Directorate has a net budget of £21,366,000 representing 38.04% of the Council’s overall net expenditure budget of £56,163,211 for the 2017/18 fiscal year. This £21,366,000 is broken down by function as follows –

Director of Environment &Regeneration, £252,400, 1% Urban and Rural

Regeneration, £224,900, 1%

Planning, £964,500, 5%Parks Development,

£1,017,700, 5%

Cemeteries, £690,100, 3%

Grounds Maintenance,£1,693,700, 8%

Street Cleaning , £3,240,900,15%

Waste Services & Recycling,£8,602,600, 40%

Maintenance, Depots &Property, £833,200, 4%

Refuse Collection,£2,556,600, 12%

Environment ServiceAdministration, £443,100,

2%Design Office, £668,500, 3%

Building Control, £177,800,1%

Environment & Regeneration Directorate 2017-18 Net Budget

1.3.2 The Directorate is also be responsible for taking forward the Council’s proposed £200 million capital development programme.

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Staff and Other Resources

1.3.3 The directorate has more than 400 officers as detailed below:

Director and Support – 2Planning and Regeneration – 36 (FTE)Capital Development & Building Control – 34 (including 2 agency)Environment – 335 (including 11 agency)Regeneration – 3

2 Section Two: Achievements 2016/17

2.1 Highlights

Completed £5m regeneration of Brooke Park. Since opening the Park has seen visitor numbers more than doubled compared to before the regeneration.

Completed new £1.5m recycling centre at Pennyburn

Completed new play areas at Rose Court, Irish Street & Fountain

Commenced construction of new £5.9m Brandywell stadium and dog racing track

Submitted planning application for new £10m Maritime Museum

Processed Building Control applications with a construction value of more than £171m

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Issued more than 1340 planning decisions, with more than 92% approved and including planning permission for more than 2800 homes

Since transfer of Planning Service to Council in April 2015 reduced number of legacy applications from 525 to less than 70

Progressed the preparation of the Local Development Plan with significant stakeholder engagement and preparation of the preferred options paper

Undertook a Built Heritage District Maintenance and Education Programme in Derry City and Newtownstewart

Prepared and submitted a PEACE IV application for an €8m shared space community park and pedestrians bridge from Strabane to Lifford (The Riverine Project)

Secured resources for a dedicated Heritage Officer to progress a Heritage Strategy for the district

Completed the restoration of Culmore Landfill Site which has now opened as a Lough Side country park within approximately 5km of pathway network.

Upgraded the festive lighting in Derry City Centre, Sion Mills, Newtownstewart, Strabane and Castlederg

Won a number of regional and national awards including Ulster in Bloom, Britain in Bloom, Pride in our City and Best Kept City for Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleaning Services

2.2 Progress Update

Details of progress against the commitments set out in the 2016/17 Directorate Delivery Plan are attached as Appendix A. This includes actions and indicators.

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The improvement objective for the Directorate for 2016/17 was to increase sustainable development through enabling higher quality planning and building control submissions resulting in a more integrated and effective planning and building control system and quality outputs. We chose this improvement objective because we recognise that following the reorganisation of Local Government in Northern Ireland, it is imperative that there is a consistent and integrated standard of service in the planning and building control functions and a coordinated approach to support for customers to enable them to submit high quality applications and enable us to process in a timely manner and ultimately ensure high quality development throughout the region. This is a three year performance improvement objective and significant progress has been made during 2016/17. The team have undertaken engagement with local agents to gauge the support that they would appreciate and to consider the potential for a fast tracked system for application approval where all key information is submitted at the time of initial validation. Improvements have been made to the websites for the services to provide additional information. Economically significant applications are prioritised to ensure that they progress as fast as possible and that the teams contribute to the economic regeneration of the region and a cross-departmental working group has been established to explore ways of integrating the services and processes further.

3 Section Three: Improvement Planning and Performance

The Directorate has agreed a number of improvement objectives for 2017/18 which aim to bring about improvement in one or more of the following improvement criteria:

Strategic effectiveness (SE) Service quality (SQ) Service availability (SA) Fairness (F) Sustainability (S) Efficiency ( E) Innovation. (I)

These improvement objectives may relate to improving the quality of life of our citizens (outcome improvements) and/or service improvements that will help bring about the delivery of more effective, quality and customer focussed services.

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An overview of these objectives and the work we will be undertaking in 2017/18 is set out in paragraphs 3.1 – 3.3 below, under the headings of:

2017/18 Directorate Improvement Objectives

Rationale for Selection of Improvement Objectives

Mainstreaming the Equality and Disability Duties

Details of how we will deliver these commitments and monitor and measure progress/success are set out in paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5.

3.1 2017/18 Directorate Improvement Objectives An overview of the outcome and/or service improvement objectives and how they relate to the Community/Corporate Plan is set out in the table below.

Community/CorporatePlan Objective

Directorate Outcome / ServiceImprovement Objective 2017/18

Link to Improvement Criteria **

We will protect and enhance the environment through creating and supporting a culture of environmental stewardship

We will have increased levels of household recycling and reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill.

We will have continued to develop a more integrated and effective planning and building control system which enables and encourages the provision of quality housing in sustainable urban and rural neighbourhoods.

We will have improved the opportunity for active travel and modal shift by progressing a number of greenway delivery projects.

We will have increased the opportunity for outdoor play through the delivery of 5 play parks.

We will have supported communities who want to engage in

SE,SQ,SA

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environmental stewardship through community clean ups and environmental improvement schemes.

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3.2 Rationale for Selection of Improvement Objectives

This improvement objective relates directly to the Strategic Growth Plan objective that we live sustainably – protecting the environment, under the theme of Physical and Environmental Regeneration. This was a key theme that emerged during the significant engagement process carried out as part of the development of the Strategic Growth Plan. The improvement objective will allow us to pull together the actions that will demonstrated that we are protecting and enhancing our local environment and the partnership approach that we have taken to maximise effect.

3.3 Mainstreaming the Equality and Disability Duties

The Directorate is committed to mainstreaming equality and its disability duties.

The Directorate is committed to fulfilling its Section 75 and Disability Duties and promoting equality of opportunity and good relations.

Equality impact screening and impact assessment processes will be undertaken as appropriate.

3.4 Improvement Delivery Plan

Capital Development and Building Control




Completion of four play areas at Brandywell, Ballyarnett, Kilfennan & Ballymagroarty

SQ, SA

Completion of Brandywell Stadium and new dog racing track SQ, SA, FDevelop a detailed design of new community centres at Top of the Hill, Shantallow and Galliagh

SQ, SA

Develop a concept design for two new strategic leisure centres in Derry SE, SQ, SA, S, E, I

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and Strabane.Implementation of online application facility for Building Control Building Notice applications

SQ, SA, S, E, I

Regeneration Unit




Develop community led regeneration initiatives to promote environmental stewardship which is the responsible useAnd protection of the environment.

Appoint a dedicated Heritage Officer post for the Council district and commencement of a Heritage Strategy for the district

SE,SQ,SA

Development of quality public realm in our city, town and in our local areas.

Complete the Townscape Heritage Initiative Phase II targeting £700k grant aid to eligible properties

SQ,SA,SE

Development of quality public realm in our city, town and in our local areas.

Prepare a bid for Phase III Townscape Heritage Initiative application for the Carlisle Road Area in line with HLF timeframe of December 2018.Prepare a regeneration-led business & technical feasibility study for the Canal Basin site in Strabane

SQ,SE,SA

Prepare a Conservation –led masterplan for Sion Mills village

Commence a heritage-led regeneration masterplan for Sion Mills Village SQ,SE,S

Development of quality public realm in our city, town and in our local areas

Deliver environmental improvements schemes in accordance with this programme

Develop a shopfront Revitalisation scheme for Strabane Town Centre SQ,SE,S

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Environment



Link to Improvement Criteria

Grounds Maintenance Progress with site investigation for New Cemetery provision for the Westbank of the City

SA,S

Complete vegetation removal to 6 closed Cemeteries in the District SQ

Complete Conservation and Management Plan for 3 closed cemeteries i.e Urney Old, Donagheady and Corrick cemetery.

SQ

Seek recognition through apply for award in at least one regional/National environmental competition.

SQ

Complete landscaping of 3 roundabouts i.e. Caw, Melmount and Bradley’s Way. SA,S

Engage Communities in the Pride of Place Awards in particular rural communities D,E,I

Waste Management Progress the development of Recycling facilities at Castlederg, Eglinton and the Waterside area of Derry City.

SA,SQ

Promote and encourage the uptake of food waste collections E,SQ,SE

Develop green waste collections across the district through a route optimisation review

SA,SQ,E

Property Implement fully automated inspection and works process procedures to include I,E

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electronic tendering, ordering, invoicing, remedial works timeframes

Carry out major maintenance works at Templemore Sports Complex SQ

Install additional Christmas Lighting schemes in Sion Mills and Donemana SQ,SA

Introduce an apprenticeship scheme I,E

Investigate the installation of a lighting scheme on the Guildhall and Harbour House.

SQ,SA

Parks Development Complete works and open Strathfoyle Play Park SQ,SA

Complete works and open Gransha greenway SQ,SA

Progress development of play areas at Newtonstewart and Magheramason SQ,SA

Progress North West Green Ways project to deliver 46km of cross border greenway provision

SE,SQ,SA

Secure planning permission for Kilfennan Greenway, St Columbs Park Avenue, Clooney Greenway and St Columbs Park – Walled GardenComplete Masterplan for CulmoreComplete Masterplan for Inisfree Gardens, StrabaneComplete a Masterplan for Lands at ClooneyComplete the Waterside Greenway (phase 4) in partnership with the Western Health & Social Care Trust

SE,SQ,SA

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Complete a Green infrastructure Plan for the city & region

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Planning

Ref Directorate Outcome/ Service Improvement Objective

Key Activities/Actions/Sub-actions/milestones Target Date Link to Improvement Criteria

2 Focus on issuing all remaining Legacy cases by year end (C.PL1617.05)

Reduce legacy application by 50% in 6 months (issue 30 decisions from remaining 60) – Focus to improve both Local and Major targets by end October 2017.

Oct 2017 S,E

3 Develop Customer Engagement Strategy (C.PL1617.06)

Establish a project team to deliver improved direct customer engagement that includes young people in relation to service and fees by improving accessibility through all forms of communication, telephony, social media and website. Customer Engagement Survey within 6 months by end of March 2018.

Mar 2017 SQ,I

4 Improve Project Use Improve project to contribute to Council website redesign and improvements to new ways of engaging with customers.

Mar 2018 I,SQ,SA

7 Continue to investigate on how the service can achieve economic growth.(C.PL1617.08)

Investigate the feasibility of charging for PADs, Section 76, Non Material Changes and Discharge of Conditions.Charging for copy documents/EIRs

Dec 17 SQ,I,E

11 Major/Strategic Planning Applications/Capital Projects/Investment Bid

Prioritise economically significant applications and review monthly by HOP and PPTOs. Specific Strategic team set up within Dept structure within 6 months.

Sept 2017 SE,SQ,S,E

12 Retail Shared Service / Consultants Framework for specialist advice.

Consider / investigate options and implement. End Aug 2017 SQ,E

14 Explore options of creating Liaise with QUB and UU and set aside a small budget, opportunity for a private sector partnership project.

End Nov 2017 I,S

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student/graduate work planning placement programs to capture young people/new ideas and talent spotting.

3.5 Measures of Success and Performance

During 2017/18, we will be continue to work to establish baseline and benchmarking information in order to promote continuous improvement. The following measures of success/performance indicators and where relevant targets have been identified for 2017/18.


Outcome / Service Improvement Objective Reference

Measure of Success/ Performance Indicator (1) 2015/16Performance

2016/17Performance (2)

2017/18 Target(3)

Completion of four play areas at Brandywell, Ballyarnett, Kilfennan & Ballymagroarty.

The construction and commissioning of the new play parks will be complete, Council will have retaken possession of the sites and the facilities will be open to the public.

Project programme objective met

Project programme objective met

New parks open March 2018

Completion of Brandywell

The construction and commissioning of the new stadium and dog track will be complete on site and Council will have retaken

Progress project met

Programme objective met

Project complete

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Outcome / Service Improvement Objective Reference

Measure of Success/ Performance Indicator (1) 2015/16Performance

2016/17Performance (2)

2017/18 Target(3)

Stadium and new dog racing track.

possession of the site.

Develop detailed designs of new community centres at Top of the Hill, Shantallow and Galliagh.

Develop and agree a concept design for three new community centres. This objective will be achieved upon approval of the designs from project stakeholders and that the design complies with the objectives of the business case.

Not applicable Objective met Concept designs to complete March 2018

Develop a concept design for two new strategic leisure centres in Derry and Strabane.

Develop and agree a concept design for two new strategic leisure centres in Derry and Strabane. This objective will be achieved upon approval of design from project stakeholders and that the design complies with the objectives of the business case.

Not applicable Project slightly behind targeted programme, due to changes in project brief.

Concept designs to complete March 2018

Implementation of online application facility for Building Control Building Notice applications.

A new online application facility for Building Notices to be implemented. Success will be measured by customer consultation exercise after three months of operation of new on-line system.

Not applicable Not applicable March 2018

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4 Section Four - Contacts

Senior Management

Karen Phillips, Director of Environment & Regeneration. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Conor Canning, Head of Environment. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Maura Fox, Head of Planning. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 376580.

Frank Morrison, Head of Capital Development & Building Control. Email [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Environmental Services

Nicola Doherty, Waste Services Manager. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Colin Kennedy, Parks Development Manager. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Danny McCartney, Grounds Maintenance Manager. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 355997.

John Quinn, Principal Supervisor. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Eddie Nutter, Principal Supervisor. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Liam Donnelly, Principal Supervisor. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71 253253.

Planning

mailto:[email protected]










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Suzanne McCracken, Development Management Principal Planning Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71376522.

Proinsias McCaughey, Development Plan Principal Planning Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71376522.

Andree McNee, Acting Principal Planning Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71376522.


David Glenn, Acting Principal Building Control Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71253253.

Raymond McClintock, Principal Building Control Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71253253.

Damian McMurray, Principal Building Control Officer. Email: [email protected] Tel No. 028 71253253.

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