Leader of Government Business and Minister of Planning Kurt Tibbetts said Friday that problems with the Planning Department would be addressed in the coming months.
‘I’ve been receiving a great deal of inquires regarding issues and problems some customers may be facing at the Planning Department,’ he said. ‘I can assure you that this matter is receiving my utmost attention, and in fact, Planning and Ministry staff are working very closely to ensure these matters are dealt with on a priority basis.
Mr. Tibbetts said he and his Ministry sat down with all Planning Department staff members on two occasions, the most recent a six-hour session on 22 August.
The main complaint about the Planning Department has been timing he said.
‘It takes forever to get things through the entire process,’ he said. ‘That is mostly what the problem is.’
A lack of human resources is largely to blame for the Planning Department inability to complete application on a timely basis, Mr. Tibbetts said.
The problem has been exacerbated by the increased number of applications caused by the Hurricane Ivan rebuilding efforts.
‘We are in the process of identifying and filling various posts in the Department to ensure that we cope for the demand for services.’
Some of the posts that will be filled are to be newly created, Mr. Tibbetts said, noting the Planning Department is close to hiring another plans examiner and compliance officer.
‘That is not the end of it either,’ he said. ‘Additional staff resources are on the way as well as an effort to review and streamline review processes.’
Mr. Tibbetts was confident the measures would correct the concerns at the Planning Department.
‘I ask the development community for just a little more continued patience,’ he said. ‘I’m sure you will see a great deal of difference in a short time,’ he said.
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