Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 11, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Executive Resolved to:- 1)    At the request of the Full Council meeting on 17 December 2025, that the Executive considered the Service response set out in this report to the following actions identified in the motion as part of a recovery process: a)    Publish a publicly available Planning Service Recovery Plan, that included, but was not limited to the following: ·       Measurable targets for backlog reduction and determination timescales. ·       Steps to restore pre-July 2025 levels of public and member engagement, including removal of the “single email point” restriction for councillors, and improved engagement with parish councils. ·       Measures to ensure decision quality, including site visits and appropriate use of planning conditions. ·       A plan to address the planning enforcement backlog and steps to fill vacant posts with permanent staff. b)    Provide quarterly performance reports to all members for a 12- month period following the end of the emergency planning arrangements. c)    Engage with parish councils and councillors, planning agents, and key stakeholders to review lessons learned and agree a “good practice charter” for the future operation of the planning service. 2)    Executive Committee were asked to note this report and the actions taken by the Planning Service in relation to the above motion.