Decision
Analysis
outcome: Recommendations were approved by the Cabinet Member for Resources.
summary: The decision involves approving a budget increase of £58,000 to fund a Planning graduate for a 2-year FTC from September 2025.
topline: The Cabinet Member for Resources has decided to approve a budget increase of £58,000 to fund a Planning graduate for a 2-year FTC from September 2025.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves allocating additional funds for a specific position, which could be questioned by other departments or stakeholders.
affected_stakeholders: ["Cabinet Member for Resources", "Planning graduate", "Council departments"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://preston.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1313
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Resources
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: The Planning Department has been successful in bidding to receive a salary bursary to employ one Pathways to Planning graduate for two years starting in September 2025. Pathways to Planning is a government funded graduate programme. The Council has been awarded a salary bursary with a maximum value of £48,000 and a degree bursary of £10,000 to help fund the graduate study on a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited part-time master’s degree. The £48,000 salary bursary will not cover one FTC position for two years; therefore, a Revenue Funded Budget Increase is necessary to cover the shortfall.
Content: Resolved – That the Cabinet Member for Resources approved a Revenue Funded Budget Increase of £58,000 (to cover the salary and the degree course) as set out in section 4 of the report to fund a Planning graduate for a 2-year FTC from September 2025.
Date of Decision: June 2, 2025