Issue - meetings

AGREED to increase the Planning Development staffing budget to £1,023,170 based on forecast planning fee income to £1,031,700 from 2024/25.

The Director – Planning & Growth presented a report which provided an update on the Planning Development Business Unit in terms of the emerging legislative and operational service challenges, the planning fee increase effective as from 6 December 2023, and proposals for an increased staffing budget to build in greater capacity, including the creation of an Assistant Director post.  

AGREED      (unanimously) to increase the Planning Development staffing budget to £1,023,170 based on forecast planning fee income to £1,031,700 from 2024/25.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable the Planning Development Business Unit to review resources in order to implement some of the many changes resulting from legislation and the actions identified within the Community Plan – both directly for the service as well as actions for other departments that require our resources.

Options Considered:

There is an option to do nothing but this is not considered viable given the current pressures on the service.