Government Slates Richmond Council planning performance as 'Poor'

1.03.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Aug 2003

Vincent Cable MP for Twickenham

The Minister of State for Housing and Planning (Keith Hill) has written to MP Vincent Cable drawing attention to the poor performance of the local council in handling planning applications.

He has also written to the council leader saying that Richmond council remains in 2003/4 - as in 2002/3 - a Best Value Standards Authority for failing to meet national standards for handling planning applications.

The minister describes the council as performing 'poorly', though it has made some progress towards the targets.

Vincent Cable said: "it is unusual for Ministers to involve me in council matters and the minister is, I think, trying to highlight the council's inefficiency."

"Planning is a difficult area since people care passionately about their local environment but planning authorities have their hands tied by planning rules and procedures that often go against public opinion and, often, common sense."

"The council's job is to ensure that applications are considered quickly and efficiently with proper public consultation; in Richmond this isn't happening. From my own experience,

senior officials are able and fair minded but it is clear that the council isn't putting in enough resources to perform its planning functions properly".