Thurrock Council leaders have welcomed the findings of a peer review of the council's planning service.
The review, which was carried out by the Local Government Association’s Planning Advisory Service (PAS) at the council's request, took place between 30 October and 2 November 2023. A range of partners and community and business representatives were interviewed as part of the review as well as council officers and councillors.
Cllr Ben Maney, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Highways, said: "The report clarifies the extent of work being undertaken by the planning service and outlines the resources and processes required to carry out that work.
"It identifies important issues that need to be addressed as well as strengths within the team and improvements already underway that can be built on.
"We will bring a report to Full Council for discussion by all 49 members setting out our approach to implementing the recommendations from PAS."
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "I have asked officers to draw up an action plan based on the recommendations in this report for consideration by Cabinet and councillors.
"We welcome this report, it will form the basis of an improvement plan which will be debated by Full Council as soon as possible."
The report is available online at thurrock.gov.uk/performance