Decision details

Purpose of Report: In response to the Government White paper on the Housing market, Central Government is proposing to increase national set planning fees subject to the Local Authority committing to invest the additional fee income in their planning department.

The Executive Member is asked to consider committing investment of additional fee income in the Council’s planning department.

Resolved: (i) That the CLG offer to the 20% increase in planning fees be accepted and it take effect in July 2017, with any additional income reinvested in the Development Management function.

                (ii) The principles of reinvesting £128k into the planning service as set out in Paragraph 10 of the Officer’s report be approved.

Reason: The increase in planning fees relates to the Council’s corporate priorities by enhancing frontline services to help to ensure acceptable planning proposals are delivered on site more expediently.