Decision details
To extend a contract to recruitment consultancy Carrington West for Planning Policy Manager for a further 3 months
Decision Maker: Director of Community & Economic Development - Tracey Birkinshaw
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
To extend a contract to recruitment
consultancy Carrington West for Planning Policy Manager for a
further 3 months (up to 30th April 2025) to be reviewed in line
with recruitment and the timing of a handover to permanent
appointment.
Reasons for the decision:
On 28th October 2024, a decision was made to
extend the contractor role until the 1st February 2025. This
followed key recruitment drive to address recommendations
highlighted in a LGA/PAS peer review of the planning service.
Recruitment campaigns have been undertaken in a variety of ways for
the role of Head of policy & place making, however to date have
been unsuccessful. The challenges in respect of recruitment have
continued, this led to a refreshed campaign under an amended job
role of Planning Policy Manager. This follows engagement and
consultation with Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive.
The challenge in the planning sector at senior levels is well
evidenced nationally and unfortunately Cheltenham has not escaped
this challenge, as was reported to Audit and Overview and Scrutiny
committees at the end of last year.
To ensure we address capacity issues in dealing with planning
policy work which is critical as we are preparing the Cheltenham,
Gloucester and Tewkesbury Strategic and Local Plan, maintaining the
current contractor is essential to delivery of the Council’s
Statutory function. Working with HR, this decision aligns the
current consultancy role directly with the recruitment process to
ensure we maintain the resource needed. This will be reviewed with
HR and the Finance Business Partner on a monthly basis to ensure
that the contract can be drawn to a close as quickly as
possible.
Alternative options considered:
Not to extend the contract – The
Authority is at an important time in working on the Cheltenham,
Gloucester and Tewkesbury strategic and local plan and not filling
the vacancy would mean extremely limited senior officer support/no
support would be given from Cheltenham to this Plan. This is not an
option given the priorities and ambitions of the Council. In
addition, changes to the national planning framework are envisaged
in the new year and we need to be in a position to respond
appropriately to this.
Declarations: none
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Engagement with HR and Finance, alongside
regular updates to the Cabinet portfolio lead.
Contact: Tracey Birkinshaw, Director of Community & Economic Development Email: [email protected].
Publication date: 31/01/2025
Date of decision: 30/01/2025