HYNDBURN Borough Council's planning service will be the authority's first department to be reviewed under the government's new Best Value regime for local government.

The council's development services and policy and resources committees have approved a report of a fundamental review of the development control service, which deals with planning applications and action against unauthorised development.

Under Best Value, every aspect of the council's services must have a fundamental review at least every five years, asking people who use the department what they think of it and comparing it with other service providers. A plan will then be drawn up for the implementation of improvements over the next five years.

Coun Jim Dickinson, chairman of the development services committee, said: "We have always tried to deliver an excellent development control service within the resources available.

"This report confirms the good work we do and the generally high satisfaction felt by our users. We will now work towards improvements."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe added: "We aim to deliver quality services and we are constantly striving to give the best value possible to our council tax payers."