WEALDEN PLANNING GETTING BETTER

Cllr Keith Whitehead, development cabinet member, said: 'We invited the Audit Commission to inspect our planning operation after our comprehensive performance assessment last year.

'We feel we have already made significant improvements in the speed with which we deal with general applications and we are grateful other areas for improvements have been highlighted.

'In line with the recommendations, we are keen to find out what works well in other authorities' planning departments so we can identify the resources we will need and draw up comprehensive long term plans.

'We have already started implementing a series of improvements to ensure that staff and resources are focussed where they matter most, and we are pleased that the Audit Commission has recognised the commitment of both councillors and officers.

The report said Wealden's planning service had a good track record in customer care, makes good decisions, issues sound reports, protects the environment and enforces planning controls.

Cllr Whitehead went on: 'While the cost of planning services is an issue requiring further scrutiny, we should not forget that we occupy a large rural area which is under severe pressure from outside developers and residents looking to improve their assets.

'Our officer case-load is enormous '“ in fact we handled more planning decisions than any other district council in the year ending March 2005 '“ but our cost in handling each application is still in line with the average for English non-metropolitan districts.'

Nigel Coltman, council leader, said: 'Wealden has always tried to make the best planning decisions. 'We are now looking at ways in which the best can be speeded up.'