Bassetlaw District Council – Delivery Officers Introduction What They

Note: This case study is extracted from the Good Development Management report, published in June 2019 on the PAS website. Bassetlaw District Council – Delivery Officers

Summary

Wanted to… • Meet the Government’s growth agenda and get projects moving • Break down silos between service areas and between developers / members / community stakeholders Action • Re-focus towards implementation and create a new Delivery Officer role from planning policy / economic development teams • Tasked Delivery Officers to support development management in negotiating S106 agreements and achieving better / quicker outcomes Benefits • Staff empowered and joined-up across teams • Increased income to the authority • Better engagement with communities and developers • Better development outcomes on the ground • Positive effect on developer contribution negotiations Learning / risks • Difficulties in recruitment to what is a relatively new role that does not sit within established Council structures

Introduction created a dedicated ‘Delivery Officer’ In 2015, Bassetlaw Council started to position. think differently about how to get developments physically off the The delivery officer role involves close ground, particularly on larger sites working with the Development allocated for housing, employment and Management team on larger scale community uses. developments to improve both the speed of the application process and What they did quality of outcomes. They facilitate The Council looked to their own staff, better working relationships between recognising that officers in the case officers and other Council teams planning policy and economic during the course of the application, for development teams already had the example the open space and housing skills to deal with the implementation teams. They also support case officers of schemes. There was no existing in negotiating Section 106 agreements dedicated role in the Council that had with developers, using their local this focus, so the service decided that knowledge to help secure the most officers could focus on delivery more appropriate outcomes. Their recent effectively if they had a defined role work with the developers for the with set projects to work on, and scheme at the Harworth Colliery site is 1 Good Development Management a good example of this; Delivery opportunities. These help to bring Officers led a positive negotiation to forward much needed infrastructure boost affordable housing provision and and results in income generation for to deliver community assets through the Council. the Section 106 agreement. Delivery officers also have a key Results and Learning engagement role, working with The Council’s budget currently allows members, the community and with for four delivery officer positions but developers. Their role in engaging with there have been difficulties in parish and town councils during the recruitment given this role is relatively application process is seen as vital in new and does not sit within ensuring that objections do not cause established Council structures. undue delays. Their involvement in Bassetlaw Council recognises that this consultation events ensures that they position requires a strong skill set and understand the needs of the a forward thinking, proactive attitude. community and developers. This more In the context of prioritising delivery to rounded perspective has been seen to meet the Government’s growth result in better quality outcomes in agenda, the Council hope that there Bassetlaw. will be increasing interest in this role, both from existing staff within the A key aspect of the Delivery Officers’ Council and also from external role also involves looking out for, and candidates. applying for, key external funding

2 Good Development Management