Serious issues have been found after a critical review of the Isle of Wight Council’s planning department was carried out, finding issues ranging from a backlog of cases, breakdown in communication and reputational damage.
This review of the council was called for after recent challenges in the planning authority and committee led to arguments and infighting at County Hall.
Officials from the Local Government Association (LGA) found there is a need to rebuild trust between councillors, officers and the community and they must also work together effectively, the officials say, through a framework of respect for others and their differing views and motivations.
The LGA representatives found despite the arguments there was ‘significant passion’ on the Island for housing, development and growth but it was met with considerable opposition to housing developments, despite the ‘post-pandemic housing emergency’, with it also said the council needs to urgently review its constitution and procedural rules as a matter of urgency.
The council is trying to address issues with the draft Island Planning Strategy (IPS) but has been stalled in trying to adopt the plan.
LGA officials warned without the plan it was possible developments deemed not in the public interest could be approved.
The workload of planning officers was also highlighted as an issue as they try to manage significant caseloads as well as decide outcomes of applications. It is said in the LGA’s report, that senior staff are being pulled in different directions, while others are under a ‘great deal of pressure and stress’.
Statistics show the planning service is effective but officials found there was also a backlog of over 200 unresolved cases that are more than a year old and some more than four.
Officials also noted a lack of effective communication between councillors, officers and the public, which needs to change to improve understanding and build relationships.
A report with actions to be taken following the report’s publication will be heard at the council’s policy and scrutiny committee for neighbourhoods and regeneration next week.
All the IWCs departments are not fit for purpose because any ‘oversight’ is done by their colleagues sitting on the next desk – assuming they aren’t on Holiday/MaternityLeave/TOIL/HalfDay/FamilyFriendlyShifts/BankHolidays/Personal Holidays/’Covid’/TeaBreak/Sick, etc etc etc. Or the overall Ppoor excuse of ‘Working From Home’, the biggest skive of the 21st century. As for any backlog of paperwork, well I bet there’s a few empty brown envelopes scattered around?
‘LGA officials warned without the plan it was possible developments deemed not in the public interest could be approved.’ Exactly what I have been saying for months but still no sign of this plan. Come on Council get your act together and do the job you were elected for.
Perhaps the planning could enforce the removal of all these scruffy caravans and vehicles parked in public car parks filled with down and outs.
Bembridge Point car park is often littered up with large vans looking like a travellers meeting place with rough characters and their dogs, and the unsightly Caravan on Ashey Down car park adjacent to Knighton Down has been there for years, taking up two parking spaces and spoiling one piece of beauty the council has yet to build upon.
We pay thousands in Council tax, to have a decent society, these low life pay nothing, yet ruin the beauty and ambiance and need to be removed.
Stole thousands off me the n rejected a very simple conservatory revamp!! Sack the bloody lot of them!!
Too much stress, caused by over-development applications.
The main problem being, is that they are all related.
These issues are solely due to management and budget issues, most of the planning team are working tirelessly to keep up with the large amount of work. despite the stressful nature and tight deadlines, the team is always pleasant and helpful on the phone/Email
“Officials also noted a lack of effective communication between councillors, officers and the public”. Well who’d have thought, shock horror . . . Dysfunctional and inconsistent decision making for years. Contentious house building decisions all over the Island ‘cos spineless Planners have been played by shyster Developers.
well what an utter shock this report will be to the poor taxpayers who fund these clowns. Such revelations that it contains….. NOT!
Would be beneficial to have the corruption investigated
Very good investigation.
I think the community could have told you this 10 years ago for free
Reading this article it is obvious the rot starts at the top and is cascaded down to front line workers who have to do as they are told. The Council is too top heavy as are many other “local service” departments. Some seem to forget that when you are overall in charge of a team the idea is to nurture for future positions, not to “keep them in their place” – which is the norm with many government type departments, probably the same in other enterprises also but they will find out what they are doing wrong in the end.
LGA representatives found despite the arguments there was ‘significant passion’ on the Island for housing, development and growth but it was met with considerable opposition to housing developments,
Rubbish, too much over development on the island already. No need for more estates for rich mainlanders. I haven’t seen much support for these bast tracts of houses. LGA reps take note.
“LGA representatives found despite the arguments there was ‘significant passion’ on the Island for housing, development and growth but it was met with considerable opposition to housing developments.”
If this is true why do we hear so many conflicting arguments from.islanders saying no to more housing estates?