The Portfolio Holder Decisions meeting, held on Monday 23 March 2026, saw Councillor Stephen Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, approve changes to fees for pre-application advice on highways development and planning, and also approve the addition of a scheme to the Education Capital Programme.

Fees and Charges for Pre-Application Advice for Highways Development and Planning - 2026/27

Councillor Stephen Shaw approved changes to the fees and charges for pre-application advice on highways development and planning, which will take effect from 1 April 2026. These changes are part of a review to ensure that charges reflect the cost of delivery and offer value for money, comparing favourably with services offered by other local authorities and commercial sectors.

For highways development, fees for small-scale developments (Categories A and B) will increase significantly by 250% to bring them in line with neighbouring authorities. Fees for larger developments (Categories C to F) will remain frozen. A new category, G, for developments of 500+ dwellings or significant commercial floorspace, will be introduced, along with a charge for additional meetings based on an hourly rate for a Senior Engineer.

In planning, fees for smaller sites will increase, while fees for major developments will be frozen to ensure the service remains viable. A new category for Permitted Development Enquiries will also be introduced, as the council currently does not have a separate charge for this service. The report noted that income for these pre-application services can fluctuate, and the proposed increases are intended to contribute to the delivery of the 2026/27 Communities Directorate budget. Failure to implement these increases could have an adverse impact on the service budget.

Addition to the Education Capital Programme

Councillor Stephen Shaw approved the addition of a scheme at Higham Lane North Academy to the capital programme, with an estimated cost of £0.835 million. This funding will come from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and an external grant from the Department for Education. The decision also authorises the Executive Director for Children and Young People to proceed with procurement and contract arrangements.

The scheme is necessary to provide additional accommodation for a SEND resourced provision at Higham Lane North Academy, which was not included in the original build. Furthermore, a temporary modular building will be provided at the academy to accommodate Watling Meadows Primary School from September 2026 to February 2027, due to delays in the permanent build of that school.

During the meeting, Councillor Keith Kondakor, a local member, raised concerns about discrepancies between new school developments and housing development progress, suggesting that delays in housing were incurring additional costs for school development. He also expressed serious concerns about road safety around the school, highlighting that the safety and welfare of children should be paramount and criticising the projected 18-24 month delay in reducing the speed limit. Councillor Shaw thanked Councillor Kondakor for his statement, acknowledged the concerns, and committed to a site visit and collaboration on road speed limits.