‘Widespread dissatisfaction’ with enforcement has been uncovered by a peer review of a new unitary council’s planning service.
The peer review of North Northamptonshire Council’s planning service by the Local Government Association’s Planning Advisory Service said it was yet to be transformed, having been established in April last year.
Peers said that the ‘period of stabilisation has taken longer than first anticipated’ due to resources being diverted to respond to the Covid pandemic and this was ‘perpetuating inconsistency'.
They found that, at times, relationships between members and officers were ‘strained’ and while staff were ‘committed and hardworking’ morale was low.
Despite the issues, the peer team said the council was ‘doing well delivering planned growth’ and had a 'good track record of bringing in funding’.
Senior councillors will be asked to consider and approve a plan to act on recommendations at a meeting later this week.
Council leader Jason Smithers said: ‘The peer review was requested by the chief executive [Rob Bridge] and myself as they are a great tool to garner expert advice from others in the sector so that services can transform in the right way.'
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
