An action plan aimed at enhancing the performance of the Land & Property Services Agency (LPS) has been unveiled by the Northern Ireland Environment Minister.

Welcoming the document, Sammy Wilson recognised departmental backlogs had reduced.

The action plan details how LPS will take forward recommendations from a review undertaken by the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit (PEDU), focusing on enhancing the capacity of the agency to meet its current and future challenges.

Minister Wilson said: "Land and Property Services has a vital role to play locally, engaging with all ratepayers in Northern Ireland to ensure around £1bn of rates are collected each year."

-- Advertisement --

He said this money is crucial in funding local public services, and the department must push for further efficiencies.

"The people of Northern Ireland expect no less," Mr Wilson said

"It is also of utmost importance to ratepayers that they receive accurate and timely rate bills from LPS to help them plan their finances, particularly at a time when many individuals and businesses are going through difficult times."

During his time as Environment Minister, Mr Wilson oversaw the implementation of a PEDU review into the Planning Service.

"Now, less than a year later, the Agency is progressing very well, processing times are falling, backlogs are down and performance against their targets has improved.

"I am pleased that LPS has been able to avail of the same expertise and trust that we will start to see further tangible improvements in the services provided by this important Agency."

(PR/BMcC)