AN incredible jump from under-achiever to high-performer has been executed by Watford Council, it emerged this week.

Notorious for its poor performance earlier this year, the development control department has doubled its efficiency in a matter of months.

Figures released at a committee meeting on Tuesday, June 18, showed Best Value Targets the framework used to measure a council level of service had been met between February and May.

The number of planning applications dealt with within eight weeks has reached 66 per cent, compared to 24 per cent in February, and householder applications are at 76 per cent, in contrast to 41 per cent.

A report by the Best Value review in March concluded the service provided by Watford Council was "fair" but with "uncertain prospects for improvement."

Acting head Bob Woolfe, who has been heralded as the departmental saviour, put the change down to "a lot of hard work".

Councillor Iain Sharpe said: "For the first time in a while there is a feeling that development control is moving forward and it is going in the right direction."

June 19, 2002 17:00