FI16513

Request

  1. The number of formal complaints received relating to the Planning Department (for the period from 1 January 2021 to the date of this request):
  2. A breakdown of complaint categories (e.g., delays, lack of communication, incorrect advice, poor service):
  3. The number of complaints upheld or partially upheld:
  4. Any Local Government Ombudsman decisions involving Dover District Council’s Planning Department in the same period:
  5. Copies of any internal reports, audits, or reviews that identify errors, maladministration, or service failures within the Planning Department.

Response

1. 144

2. As follows: 

  • Lack of communication - 23
  • Data protection - 5
  • Officer behaviour - 5
  • Merits of decision - 86
  • Failure to provide an acceptable service – 10
  • Online systems error – 1
  • Planning process – 8
  • Delay in processing - 6

3. As follows:

  • Upheld – 20
  • Partially upheld - 12
  • Not upheld – 112

4. As follows:

  • No further action – closed after initial enquires – 25
  • Not upheld – 3
  • Upheld – 1

5. LGO Decision Notice for upheld case referred to in response to question 4: https://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/planning/other/24-001-693.  Subsequent report to Cabinet (including appendix):

https://moderngov.dover.gov.uk/documents/s61448/Report%20-%20Monitoring%20of%20S106%20Obligations%2003.04.25.pdf

https://moderngov.dover.gov.uk/documents/s61449/App%201.%20Review%20of%20Non-financial%20obligations%20process.pdf