Barking and Dagenham Council has maintained its 100% record for making planning decisions within statutory timeframes for the fifth consecutive year. This achievement, which includes major, minor, householder, and all other application types, is a testament to the dedication of its planning team and the leadership of Marilyn Smith, Head of Planning.
The council's success is measured against several key performance indicators (KPIs). Beyond the 100% record for planning application decision timeframes, the team boasts a 79% dismissal rate for planning appeals, significantly exceeding the internal KPI of 67% and the national average of 71%. Furthermore, the dismissal rate for planning enforcement appeals stands at an impressive 87.6%.
Other departments within the council are also demonstrating strong performance. The Land Charges team has achieved 100% compliance in responding to searches within the five-day KPI, which the report notes as promoting property transactions so quickly in our borough
and supporting our property buying public with efficient service.
Similarly, the Street Naming and Numbering team has met its KPI of responding to inquiries within three working days 100% of the time.
This consistent performance places Barking and Dagenham among the top councils nationally. Many other authorities are having problems, and we've not just done well for one year. We've done it consecutively,
a report highlights, underscoring the difficulty and significance of maintaining such a record.
The planning team has overcome challenges, including staffing issues within Building Control, which is now at full complement
after facing a challenging recruitment market. The Head of Building Control, Natalie, has been instrumental in preparing the service for audits.
Looking ahead, the council plans to amend its constitution to include the review of statutory services within the remit of the Performance Review Sub-Committee. They will also draft a response to proposed national planning reforms, including mandatory training for planning committee members and a cap on committee sizes. The Building Control service is preparing for a Building Safety Regulator audit, and the council is discussing updating its Service Level Agreement with BeFirst to align KPIs with those of the Building Safety Regulator.
Further initiatives include the Street Naming and Numbering service being on track for a potential Platinum award from GeoPlace, and the Beckontree design code advancing towards consultation with a view to adoption by the end of the year. The council also plans to continue its focused training for planning committee members, particularly for new cohorts following local elections.
More information on the council's performance can be found in the Planning Performance Review covering report - 2025-26 and the Authority Monitoring Report 2024-25 Highlights.
Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 31-Mar-2026 18.00 Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee Public reports pack Tuesday 31-Mar-2026 18.00 Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee Appeal Bundle 25-26 - App B Application Bundle 25-26 - App A BC LC and Streen Naming and Numbering Performance sub-committee - AMR 2024-25
