05/04/2005               Planners cash reward for improved performance

Sevenoaks District Council's Development Control service, which deals with planning applications, has been awarded more than £343,000 from Central Government that will be spent on further service improvements.

The Government's Annual Planning Delivery grant has increased by more than £33,000 compared to last year because the Council has continued to improve its performance over the past 12 months.

The Council was rewarded for improving the time it takes to decide planning applications, for its contribution to meeting housing demand in the south east and for having good 'on-line' information and services available via its website.

The Development Control service has in recent years made significant advances in achieving Central Government targets and applications are now being dealt with much more quickly and efficiently than in the past.

Last September the Council met Government targets for processing minor and other types of applications and for improving its performance when dealing with major applications.

The grant is likely to be spent on new IT developments, new technical and administrative staff, as well as training for Councillors and staff.

Cllr Jill Davison, the Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for planning, says: "This improved grant, which has more than trebled since the first award in 2003, recognises the hard work and improvements that have been made in recent months. We intend to use the money to build on our good work by using IT and by developing new skills for both staff and members so we can provide an even better service to our residents and businesses in the future".

The Council found out about its success with the grant on 22 March and it will receive the money in the spring.


For further information please contact: Daniel Whitmarsh on 01732 227414 or e-mail daniel.whitmarsh@sevenoaks.gov.uk