Council failed to report on performances

FOUR council departments failed to report on their performance in responding to consultations on planning applications.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s highways department, Monmouthshire County Council’s highways department and Torfaen County Borough Council’s planning and highways department were named and shamed over a failure to comply with the statutory duty.

The law was introduced by the Welsh Assembly under the Planning (Wales) Act in 2015.

In total, 13 local authority departments failed to comply with regulations.

The report says: “This is disappointing in that, unlike other consultees, and with the exception of national park authorities, highways authorities are internal rather than external consultees for planning departments.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have not received replies from the highway authorities for Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, and Torfaen.The duty for submitting an annual report sets a framework for continuous self-reflection and selfimprovement, so it is disappointing these statutory consultees are not providing comparative data to help improve their own performance and that of other consultees across Wales.”

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “We confirm that the performance data in respect of the local planning authority acting as a statutory consultee has been submitted to Welsh Government. We received five requests for comments and replied to three out of the five in time.”

A Monmouthshire council spokesman said: “Monmouthshire County Council strives to meet all its statutory duties. Measures are being considered to address and improve the situation.”

Caerphilly council has been contacted for comment.