Decision details

 To extend contract as agreed 24/3/23 in line with permanent recruitment of planning policy officer.

 3-month contract as agreed by officer decision 24/3/23 is concluding. Despite a proactive recruitment process this has not been successful in the appointment of a permanent planning policy officer. Options are being reassessed. To ensure capacity is maintained the 3 month contract is being extended for a further month and this will be kept under review and extended as required for a further period and reassessed after 3 months as required. T

This post is essential to delivery of the Council’s statutory function. This capacity issue was recently highlighted in a LGA/PAS peer review of the planning service.

This post retains the current contractor on 25 hours per week.

 Not to award contract – The Authority is at an important time in working on the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Strategic and Local Plan. Not addressing the vacancy would mean extremely limited support/no support would be given from Cheltenham to this Plan whilst Tewksbury and Gloucester have dedicated resource. This is not an option given the priorities and ambitions of the Council.