The Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting scheduled for Friday 20 March 2026 will consider proposed changes to fees for pre-application advice on highways development and planning, and a proposed addition to the Education Capital Programme.

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

The meeting is scheduled to consider proposed changes to the fees and charges for pre-application advice relating to highways development and planning for the 2026/27 financial year. This service provides technical guidance to developers on transport and access matters for proposed developments, aiming to ensure proposals are safe, accessible, and aligned with local and national transport policies.

The report pack indicates that for Highways Development, there are proposals to increase fees for categories A and B (small-scale developments) by 250%, bringing them in line with neighbouring highway authorities. Fees for categories C to F are proposed to remain frozen. A new category G for developments of 500+ dwellings or significant commercial floorspace is also proposed, with a fee of £2,400. Additionally, a new charge of £150 for additional meetings is suggested, based on the average hourly rate for a Senior Engineer.

For Pre-Application Advice on Planning, the proposals suggest increasing fees for smaller sites while freezing fees for major developments to ensure the service remains viable. A new category for Permitted Development Enquiry is also proposed, for which there is currently no separate charge. The report pack notes that these proposed changes are subject to rigorous officer review and benchmarking against neighbouring authorities. The financial implications suggest that implementing these increases is necessary to prevent an adverse impact on the service budget, as income would not be keeping pace with rising costs.

Addition to the Education Capital Programme

The meeting is also scheduled to consider a proposal for an addition to the Education Capital Programme. This relates to a scheme at Higham Lane North Academy with an estimated cost of £0.835 million. This funding is proposed to come from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and an external grant from the Department for Education.

The report pack explains that Higham Lane North Academy, a secondary school, opened with a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)¹ resourced provision for up to 20 pupils. Due to construction timelines, this provision could not be included in the original build. Separately, Watling Meadows Primary School is facing delays to its permanent build, requiring a temporary solution for September 2026. It is proposed to accommodate Watling Meadows Primary School temporarily at Higham Lane North Academy, utilising a modular build that will also provide the necessary accommodation for the SEND resourced provision. The capital works for this modular building are estimated at £0.835 million and would be funded by the Department for Education's High Needs Provision Capital Allocation fund. Councillor Stephen Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, is noted as the Portfolio Holder for this decision.