Michael Gove's Christmas presents

Christmas came early yesterday with the flurry of long-awaited documents from dear old Michael. Unlike the Archangel Michael, dear Govie didn’t have a sword but he did have a pen, which as we all know is mightier than the sword.  For full details see Zack Simon’s purrrrrrfect Planoraks post.

Discard the unwanted presents and what is left to cheer us up this Christmastide? My favourite is Michael’s promise to limit 'Extension of Time' Agreements, banning them for householder applications and prohibiting repeat agreements.  Deep within his speech, Govie noted if you strip these agreements out of the performance data then practically no LPAs meet their statutory targets.  It’ll be worth looking out for DLUHC’s consultation to cheer it on during 2024.

Michael may not have a sword but I reckon he can wield boxing gloves very effectively, being a consummate politician.  The most effective way of improving planning might well be his promised LPA Performance League Tables, echoing his previous work on school league tables.  Councils are immune to many things, but blows to their egos can be a real punch in their gut.  Genuine performance tables will hurt councillors and chief executive’s reputations, so might just unlock real change.  Let’s hope so.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!