§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the improvement in the performance of the planning department of Wychavon district council; and if he will make a statement. [14283]
§ Ms KeebleWe monitor all authorities' performance in handling planning applications on a quarterly basis. The most recent figures show that Wychavon determined 929W 69 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in the period April to June 2001, compared with 35 per cent. in the equivalent period in 2000. The authority is subject to a Best Value performance standard that requires it to determine at least 65 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in 2001–02.