Economic Development
It was Eric Pickles who coined the term ‘drag anchors’ suggesting that planning was an unnecessary regulatory burden which spiked the engine of growth. In the context of the poor economic climate and the publication of the national planning policy framework (NPPF), growth and planning have enjoyed a stormy relationship, positioned as adversaries rather than allies.
In what’s called ‘the dawn of the evidence-based budget’, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget announced that for the 2014 budget process, agencies must include information about how they plan to evaluate the effectiveness of their programmes, and link disbursements to their evidence. While accountability remains a key component, another essential element will be innovation, which strengthens strategic approaches.
