Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Development and Estates.

The Service Manager Development and Estates spoke to the report and outlined the key points. It was noted that Quarter 1 covered lockdown period and it was advised that the performance was not necessarily representative of the service in Blaenau Gwent and across Wales. The Planning Department had been subject to sickness absences, adapting to remote working and a number of officers had been redeployed to assist with the emergency situation. In this context the Service Manager felt that the reduction in performance was acceptable.

The Chair wished to express thanks to the Planning Department as the report was a credit to the Department for the maintained performance during Quarter 1 due to challenges faced by the service.

The Service Manager confirmed that the development industry had continued to work through the lockdown period and staff had worked hard to ensure these frontline services had been available and continued during the pandemic.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the information therein be noted.