URL: https://meetings.cotswold.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=608

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The purpose of this item was to provide an update on the performance, staffing, and capacity of the Planning Enforcement Team following the transition of planning services back into the Council in November 2024 and the subsequent PAS Peer Review.   It summarised progress against the PAS Action Plan, identified continuing service pressures including recruitment challenges and backlog management, and set out the measures underway to improve resilience, service efficiency, and performance.  Cabinet was asked to consider the progress made and note the areas where performance remained constrained.   Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing introduced the report, and noted the challenges associated with existing systems and data retrieval processes, as well as the work underway to support the transition and improvement of the service. To provide additional leadership capacity during this period of change, the committee was asked to endorse the Chief Executive's delegated decision to establish a time-limited enforcement leadership role until 31 March 2028. The additional budget provision required for the post was to be funded from the Council's earmarked Capacity Building Reserve.   The Leader, Councillor Mike Evemy added that the Overview and Scrutiny committee had considered the report on 29 June and that the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would present their concerns.   Members of the Committee recognised the value of the Planning Compliance and Enforcement service in providing information and assurance to Members, residents and the wider public, and expressed support for further strengthening the service. The committee noted the findings of previous work, including the PAS review, and acknowledged that significant issues relating to systems and processes had been identified and were continuing to be addressed. The importance of improving these systems was emphasised and the proposed appointment of an officer with the necessary skills and experience to review current arrangements and identify opportunities for improvement was welcomed. The committee encouraged Cabinet to ensure that adequate resources were made available to support this work and to address the existing case backlog, recognising the importance of maintaining an effective and resilient service during the transition to local government reorganisation.   Cabinet Members backed the planned employment contract. The Leader agreed to put the request on the Council Forward Plan and requested that a progress update be  added to the Cabinet Agenda for January 2027.   The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy. Cabinet RESOLVED to: 1.    Endorse the Chief Executive’s decision under delegated authority (Part C4 of the Constitution and section 112 of the Local Government Act 1972) to establish and appoint to a time-limited Enforcement Leadership role and approve the additional budget provision required to fund the role to be funded from the Council’s earmarked ‘Capacity Building Reserve’. 2.    Consider a further report, at January 2027 Cabinet which would outline the service performance and highlight any problems or particular highlights. Voting record: 8 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.  

Date of Decision: July 1, 2026