It is time the Department of Planning undertake a number of reviews to combat its public image as an inefficient, creditless unit – according to the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

Making the examination yesterday in the House during a budget debate on Planning, Cole Simons, Opposition spokesperson for the Environment, called for sweeping changes in how the department functions.

Mr. Simons aired his concerns on the length of time the department currently takes to process applications and suggested Government hire a human resources expert to address the "high turnover rate" there. Following a lengthy address on the department by Minister of Environment and Sport Elvin James, Mr. Simons stated: "I think the main issue I've heard here for the Department of Planning is staffing, staffing, staffing.

"They have not had the resources to get the job done effectively. The Minister lists a number of vacancies and it's a wonder the staff of the department aren't further behind than they are. So at this point I would like to commend all the staff in the Department of Planning for a job well done under the rather tenuous situations.

"And based on what I've heard today I would ask them to keep to the wicket, it appears help is on its way and I can definitely say from a personal perspective, I'm beginning to feel positive about the direction in which the Planning Department is going, based on the information that was presented here today."

However, the MP took a more critical tone when assessing the public's value for money from the department. He continued: "Mr. Chairman, the current expenditure for 2008/2009 is $4,000,638. Mr. Chairman do you know this is up 110 percent from 2002? – a five-year period.

"And what have we got to show for it? I'm very hopeful that things will be done but at this juncture, the Government and the people of this country are not getting good value for good money.

"The department, as I said, has a reputation basically of inefficiency – there's not much credibility in the community because of the time it takes to get things done, because of the bottlenecks.

"And it all has to do, as the Minister said, with staffing and providing insufficient resources to get the job done."

Earlier, Minister James revealed the Department of Planning currently has a staff of 42 and admitted the department's expenditure for the 2008/2009 period is ten percent higher than the original estimate for the current financial year.

Also, of that expenditure, 76 percent of the budget is devoted to salaries and wages for personnel, including two Trainee Planners.

"There are currently nine vacancies, including the Assistant Director of Administration and Control, two Planners in Development Control, one Trainee Planner, two Building Inspectors, the Compliance Officer, Elevator Inspector and Data Systems Clerk," Mr. James mentioned.

"The Compliance Officer and Elevator Inspector are recently created posts that are currently being performed by consultants.

"It is anticipated that the Compliance Officer, the Trainee Planner, Data Systems Clerk, one Building Inspector and one Planner post in Development and Control, will be filled by the end of March 2008."

Additionally, $50,000, under Government's Grants and Contributions will continue to finance the interest-free loan scheme for the refurbishment of listed buildings of historical or architectural significance, he added.

On the issue of a high turnover rate within the Department of Planning, Mr. Simons had a recommendation for Government: "Mr. Chairman, the Minister's brief said his department also worked hard to fill other vacancies.

"And they had six resignations. From what I understand, Mr. Chairman, there have been many, many resignations in the department and the turnover has been very high.

"My added advice (for Government) is they have some type of human resource specialist within the Planning Department so that we can address the conditions of employment there.

"The Minister has hired a number of technical people and they have not stayed – and the question is what must we do to help them to get the enrichment from their jobs so that they can stay on and be long-term employees."