Blaby focuses on improvement plan

Blaby District Council is moving key staff to work on its Development Management Improvement Plan, originally introduced after its planning department was placed in special measures in 2013.

The council’s ongoing plan aims to improve systems within the team and to improve the customer experience.

It is now seeking to fill two fixed term posts to allow permanent members of staff to focus on projects which form part of the improvement plan.

Kristy Ingles, development services manager at the council, told Planning: “This project will never be finished – it is an ongoing process of making sure we meet our defined purpose and meet the needs of the customer.”

In November 2013, Blaby became the first council to be placed into special measures after determining only 15 per cent of major applications within 13 weeks.

However, the designation was lifted after implementing the improvement plan and lifting that rate to 61.8 per cent.

Ingles said that the council has also experienced an increase in the volume of planning applications due to an improving local economy.

The council is also seeking to fill a senior planner post following a departure from the team.

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