Members considered a report outlining consultancy options surrounding maternity cover for the Planning Policy Team Leader post which would be vacant from the end of September.  The post would need to be filled in order to maintain the work programme of the team which in the next year would include taking the Allocations and Development Management Plan and the CIL Charging Schedule through publication, submission and examination and would also include consultation on the options for the Gypsies and Travellers Plan.  An advertisement for a one year contract for maternity cover had yielded only two applications, neither of which was suitable.

The following two options were rejected:

1.      To re-advertise the post.  This would have resulted in a delay in filling the post and offered no guarantee that any additional suitable candidate would come forward.

2.      Not to fill the post.  This would leave the Planning Policy Team short-staffed and without and experienced team leader at an important time for plan preparation.  The work programme would have to be substantially revised which would have delayed some or all of the plans that were under way.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Improvement introduced the report and noted that the current Planning Policy Team Leader would take a great deal of replacing however, the recommended consultant had previously worked well with the Council and knew the District.

The Chairman noted that there were a unique set of circumstances and there were a number of pressures on the Team who were currently developing the scheme for the Local Development Framework.  Having reviewed the options available, the proposals appeared to represent a pragmatic solution.

Resolved: that Tony Fullwood be appointed as a consultant to provide maternity cover for the Planning Policy Team Leader.