TIME TO TIGHTEN UP COMMUNICATIONS
A costly delay for the start of alterations to Kirriemuir Town Hall, and the confusion it has caused within the local community, has prompted one local councillor to call for a tightening up of communication channels between local authorities and public bodies.
Kirriemuir and Dean Councillor Ian Mackintosh has called for a simple measure of using "Recorded Delivery" post when dealing with outside bodies after documents sent to Historic Scotland asking for planning approval to be ratified on May 8, 2009 appeared to be "lost in the post."
As no information was received from Historic Scotland by this date, Angus Council's Development Control inquired about the progress of the application and were informed by Historic Scotland that the documentation had not been received.
In a report which went before members of the Corporate Services Executive's sub-committee last Thursday, Colin McMahon, director of Corporate Services said: "Subsequently the information was re-sent by Development Control to Historic Scotland and their consideration period for the scheme was extended.
"Historic Scotland have now ratified the planning permission which was approved at the Development Standards Committee on April 7, 2009. Due to this delay it was determined that the original programme with a start on site in June 2009 and completion by March 2010 could not be met."
As a result, the programme has been split into two phases - the first phase is due to start in August 2009 with completion by March 2010 and the second phase is due to start in June 2010 with completion by August 2010.
Commenting on the situation, Councillor Mackintosh stated that, whilst he was pleased the renovation work was about to get underway at the town hall, the fact that it had not been ratified by Historical Scotland at the first asking was "a big issue."
He said: "Historic Scotland said no application had come forward. By the time Angus Council knew about it the whole thing was delayed.
"I have asked Colin McMahon to look at putting something in place to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"Perhaps something like "Recorded Delivery" could be used. It is seems that, when you are dealing with a public body that is saying they didn't receive this when we know it did go to them, they don't have a duty to respond.
"This is a huge delay and there have been cost implications the whole way through.
"Many people thought the hall was getting closed and over a period we took no bookings.
"I don't know what the eventual costs in lost revenue will be.
"I am calling for steps to be put in place and am questioning bodies like Historic Scotland whose response has been less than desirable.
"Many people in Kirriemuir have been asking when the town hall is actually closing. It is an asset to the town and a simple thing like recorded delivery in the future would indicate that bodies like Historic Scotland have received applications."
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Weather for Kirriemuir
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet showers
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