Decision details
APPOINTMENT OF ONE AGENCY WORKER FOR 3 MONTHS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SUPPORT TO THE PLANNING POLICY TEAM
Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Planning
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
To appoint one agency worker for up to 3
months to provide essential professional planning support at a
principal level to the Planning Policy Team.
This is based upon an hourly rate of £41 with a likely total
cost in the region of £20,000 which can be met within the
existing staffing budget.
Reasons for the decision:
The production of the Local Plan in line with
the adopted timetable is a key corporate objective.
Professional planning resource levels in the team have been
depleted since the departure of the Principal Planning Officer in
early January. Recruitment is underway and an appointment is
expected imminently, however, notice periods could mean that the
resource won't be in place for another 3 months.
A detailed resourcing report is being prepared for Members looking
at a range of resource options to cover the longer term.
However in the interim period it is crucial that the Council
secures additional resources to help recover the time lost through
vacancies and to get the Local Plan back on track. The most
expedient way to achieve this is through the short term appointment
of consultancy support.
The cost will be met from the existing Local Plan salary budget
from vacancy savings.
Alternative options considered:
To not appoint - this option was rejected on
the basis that it would significantly delay the timetable for the
preparation of the Local Plan which is a key corporate
priority.
Publication date: 03/02/2023
Date of decision: 19/04/2016
Accompanying Documents: