Sent to councillors today – also been in the newspapers.
Council acts on Ombudsman’s recommendations
Durham County Council is acting swiftly in response to the findings of a report by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). The report arose as a result an initial planning decision and complaints to environmental health officers at the former Teesdale District Council. It also relates to the subsequent handling of the case following the establishment of the unitary Durham County Council in April 2009. (See notes to editors)
The LGO report finds that Teesdale District Council was guilty of maladministration regarding planning consent at a farm in a small rural hamlet* and that subsequently Durham County Council failed to handle investigations and complaints correctly.
The county council is issuing a full and unreserved apology to the residents whose lives were adversely affected by the errors and is acting quickly on the report’s recommendations.
Director of regeneration and economic development, Ian Thompson, said: “I am extremely sorry that residents living alongside the development have had to tolerate unacceptable noise and smell pollution over a number of years.
“While issuing a full and frank apology I would also like to reassure everyone that we are acting immediately on the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
“We have already taken action regarding a number of issues relating to both the historic handling of the matter by the district council and our failings regarding subsequent complaints. In addition we will take further steps to ensure the public can have faith in our processes and record keeping.”
The LGO has made a series of recommendations and the council will respond to those within the appropriate timescale. Furthermore senior officers will be in touch with the local residents in the near future to arrange face to face meetings with them to discuss the report and its findings personally.
Continues…
*The LGO does not allow the council to identify the location
Notes to editors – Teesdale District Council was one of eight local authorities which amalgamated to become one on April 1 2009, forming the unitary Durham County Council.