RSC to study planning department's operations

CEO says 'operational review' followed concerns about building permit delays

Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission CEO Wilson Bell says the commission will soon conduct an operational review of its planning and building inspection services. (FREE PRESS PHOTO)

MIRAMICHI • The Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission will soon conduct an operational review of its planning services department after recently receiving complaints from board members about delayed building permit applications.

At Wednesday’s board of directors meeting, CEO Wilson Bell said a request for proposals for the study, which carries a $60,000 price tag, will soon be issued. Funding is being sought from the province’s Regional Service Support Fund, and the cost includes all consultants’ fees, expenses, and incidentals.

Bell said he hopes a consultant can start the review in September and finish it by the end of January. A final report and recommendations will eventually be presented to the board for adoption.

“We’ll engage a consulting firm to do this review,” he said. “I’ve drafted a terms of reference to that effect. The building inspection services manager, planning services manager, and operations director are currently reviewing those terms.

“There was some interest in starting this sooner rather than later.”