KIRKLEES Planning Services has been awarded a Government provisional grant which is higher than any other council in West Yorkshire for the second year running.
The department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has conditionally granted £78,979 to Kirklees Council to deliver planning services.
Of that, £65,033 is a reward for achieving the Government's targets set for the period ending June 2006 for the Development Control service which deals with planning applications.
If all targets are met by the end of March 2007, the council is in line for a bonus of £50,000.
The award, together with previous grants, is being invested in a five-year programme of improvements to make sure that Kirklees has a `Best in Class' Planning Service for the future.
Clr Ken Sims, Kirklees Cabinet member for Development Services, said: "This extra money from the Government is welcomed as it means we can continue to improve the quality of the planning services that we provide in Kirklees.
"It also enables us to reinforce the message that Kirklees is the natural home for both inward investment and new businesses looking to establish themselves in West Yorkshire."
He added: "The Planning Service staff are to be congratulated for their hard work in winning this money for the council and the wider community."
The second highest award in West Yorkshire, of £77,823, went to Wakefield.
