Agency Provision in Planning Enforcement Team

Tender description

The Council secured the services of JB via G2 Recruitment to support the work of the Planning Enforcement Team in September 2019. Resourcing via MATRIX could not be sourced due to the specialist nature of the role & approval was given to source from an alternative provider to assist in major planning enforcement project to identify and resolve all unauthorised works to listed buildings in Hamilton Square (all Grade 1 Listed Buildings). COVID-19 effectively stalled the project and it is only recently that it has been possible to re-engage with stakeholders and owners of property in the Square. During the COIVD-19 lockdown there was also a larger than average volume of new enforcement cases submitted which were not able to be investigated due to lockdown measures prohibiting site visits etc. The Agency cover will enable to deal with the Hamilton Square Project and the enforcement cases that can now begin to be moved through the system. The recent Peer Review of the Planning functions identified the need to ensure planning enforcement is adequately resourced and effective enforcement of planning decisions and/or action against alleged breaches of planning control are dealt with in a timely manner. The extension of this Agency cover will enable work that has stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic to resume more efficiently and in a more timely manner. Planning Enforcement is a service that is often keenly scrutinised by Elected Members and it is important to ensure the delivery of this service is as effective and as proactive/reactive as possible.