New figures indicate a "dramatic" improvement in the number of planning authorities meeting targets for handling planning applications compared with six months ago. Responding to the results of the “planning performance checklist”, planning minister Keith Hill said: “We are unhappy some authorities are being left behind in the race for better performance. Those authorities who are performing have shown it can be done and I see no reason why others can't up their game. We will have to consider carefully whether any steps need to be taken with these authorities.” * In the year to September 2003 local planning authorities determined, on average, 48 per cent of major planning applications within 13 weeks, 58 per cent of minor planning applications and 76 per cent of other planning applications within 8 weeks. This represents an improvement of 5% for major application processing and 4% for minor and other applications, compared with the 2002 checklist.