UKPlanning

What is UKPlanning?

IDOX has developed the first true end-to-end ePlanning solution for Local Authorities and their citizens.

With over 10 years experience working with some of the most progressive Councils around the country, we have devised a solution that helps Councils meet their e-Government targets quickly, and effectively - UKPlanning.

The service includes:

• Managed scanning services
• Public software
• Council software - document management, workflow and forms
• Hardware
• Information services for council users

Providing a total package to enable Councils to improve service delivery to the community.

UKPlanning is designed to provide planning & building control departments with an efficient means of realising e-government targets quickly, whilst taking the stress and risk out of administering applications, both online and offline. It is a 'hands off' approach, so that case officers can get on with value-added work - not 'pushing' paper.

UKPlanning removes the need for planning and building control departments to set up their own Internet solution and, more importantly, keep the information up to date. This is the first such solution countrywide and will enable all planning departments in the UK to join together and exploit this massive economy of scale.

UKPlanning services commence within 2 weeks of contract signing - significantly improving the speed and quality of typical ICT installations.

To discuss benefits for your Council or to arrange a demonstration, please contact us at marketing@IDOXgroup.com.

Issues facing Planning Departments

Staff are expected to deliver more as a result of customer service initiatives, with no additional resource. Many parts of the country rely heavily on temporary staff as experienced planners are in short supply and, with the Government's call for e-Planning, many Councils are concerned about achieving targets without diverting resources.

• Paper and microfilm storage and management is expensive to manage - increasing the administrative burden.
  By making the decision to scan all documents from today, the Council avoids the requirement for further space and management of files. It can then channel resources into scanning history files, when available.

• Members of the public and statutory consultees expect more - departments have only just caught up with telephone response handling, and now the internet is upon us.
  The most requested transaction online by members of the community, is to be able to view and comment on planning applications online. Putting documentation online within three days means less phone calls and visits for officers to deal with.

• Central government is investing money for large initiatives but Councils want to maintain local control.
  UKPlanning provides facilities to support Councils' local needs: control to decide which documents of the case file are public or sensitive; customised design online forms; payment via the Council's own payment server and administration screens for maintenance of local information.