Service improvements

Northumberland County Council

Showing service improvements between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024

Find out more about service improvements

When we find fault, we can recommend improvements to systems and processes where they haven’t worked properly, so that others do not suffer from these same problems in future. Common examples are policy changes; procedural reviews; and staff training. Service improvements from decisions are published for 5 years and those from reports are published for 10 years.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 cases with service improvements

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Downloads the current filtered list of service improvement decisions for Northumberland County Council as a CSV file.

  • Northumberland County Council (23 010 355)

    Category: Planning Date: 11-Mar-2024

    Summary

    Mr X complained the Council did not properly consider his objections to a neighbour’s planning application. He also complained the Council did not properly investigate his subsequent complaint. Mr X says the Council’s actions caused him considerable distress. We found fault by the Council and the Council has agreed to provide an apology and a financial remedy to Mr X.

    Service improvements

    Remind staff of the importance of adhering to the Council’s procedure note and our published guidance for local planning authorities, specifically regarding the importance of recording the reasons for planning decisions.

  • Northumberland County Council (22 010 942)

    Category: Planning Date: 04-May-2023

    Summary

    Mr X complained about the Council’s decisions relating to development on land near his home. There was a service failure that caused some injustice to Mr X but potentially more to others who live closer to the development. We have made recommendations to remedy the injustice we found.

    Service improvements

    The Council failed to properly consider a planning application potentially causing injustice to others who live close to the development. The Council agreed to attempt to negotiate with the developer to improve screening. The Council should offer to pay for the costs of screening and other necessary works.The Council should review its use of standard paragraphs in planning case officer reports to ensure that site specific details and reasons are included.The Council will consider whether it has the staff to deliver an adequate service and that staff have the support necessary to carry out their work.The Council will report our findings and the outcome of the review of its use of standard paragraphs in planning case officer reports to its relevant scrutiny committee so it can have oversight of any changes that are made.

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