Review calls for revamp of planning committee

A REVIEW has called for a 'fundamental overall" of Walsall Council's planning services.

- RACHEL ALEXANDER

The assessment, called in by the authority's previous leader Councillor Garry Perry, was carried out by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS), part of the Local Government Association.

The planning committee is currently chaired by Cllr Mike Bird, also the leader of Walsall Council. The report called for several issues identified during the assessment to be tackled.

It repeatedly highlighted that there is a perception held, both internally and externally, that the planning committee is operating with 'undue influence and suspicions over probity.

Reviewers 'consistently heard' concerns about 'impartiality' which 'casts a dark cloud' over the council, severely affecting its reputation.

The report said there is a commonly held perception that councillors almost act as planning agents and have discussions outside of the formal application and committee process. Assessors heard from 'multiple sources' that if applicants are unhappy, the tendency is to go 'straight to the chair or planning committee councillors to intervene!

But while many concerns were raised about the planning committee operations, the review noted continuous improvements in the council's planning officers.

The department had made 'substantial progress' since the last peer challenge in 2021.

Assessors found that officers were 'happy and engaged' with 'high levels of professionalism.'