Decision details

To award a contract to Recruitment consultancy Park Avenue for specialist

conservation skills for a 3 month period.

The local planning authority are currently experiencing capacity issues

around the specialism of conservation. To address this a short-term contract

agency resource has been secured to provide service delivery to the

council’s regulatory planning function.

Conservation skills are in short supply in the industry. Four local/regional

contacts were directly approached and all were unavailable within the

timeframe required. Two agencies were able to present candidates and this

decision confirms appointment through recruitment consultancy Park

Avenue.

The appointment of this resource is within budget

Not to award contract - conservation is a key issue across the town in the

consideration of planning applications, this specialism is required to enable

the local planning authority to fulfil its statutory function and maintain

performance in decision making.

It is fully expected that the costs for this work will fall within the thresholds of

procurement of £10,000. The contract is being managed on an hourly rate

and cost confirmed via weekly timesheets. The contract will be managed by

the Head of Planning, should there be a need for extension of contract then

this will be fully reviewed within the context of any ongoing capacity issues,

and budget and further decision made if required.

Engagement undertaken with One Legal in respect of IR35.

Finance – confirmation that budget available