Issue - meetings

To consider the appointment of a Chief Planning Officer.

RESOLVED:

That a Chief Planning Officer be recruited to lead the Council’s Planning Service, as set out in Report Item 5 to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet considered the future management arrangements for the Planning Service, following the National Park Authority’s decision not to explore joint arrangements with this Council.

The Cabinet was satisfied that the Planning Service was integral to the delivery of many of the Council’s functions and that the developing Local Plan would see increasing levels of development that must take place in a manner that delivered high quality, sustainable and vibrant communities.  Affordable housing was a particular priority in this area.  This required a clear “plan led” approach and the Service needed to be sufficiently robust to deliver the Council’s aspirations.  In accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Town Planning Institute it was therefore proposed to recruit a Chief Planning Officer at a senior level, comparable to an Executive Head.  It was proposed to use an external recruitment agency to undertake the recruitment process, in consultation with the Council’s Human Resources team.

RESOLVED:

That a Chief Planning Officer be recruited to lead the Council’s Planning Service, as set out in Report Item 5 to the Cabinet.