Decision details

(Decision Notice 250080CAB)

(Reasons: Part 2 - Private: LGA 1972 - Sch 12A Paragraph 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

Cabinet received an update on the progress made to implement the requirements of the Annual Service Delivery Plan 2025/26 which sought an Independent Planning Advisory (PAS) Review to be completed by September 2025 and required an Action Plan for improvement to be considered by the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee by October 2025, with an Action Plan agreed by Cabinet by December 2025 and the Action Plan fully delivered by March 2026. The initial scoping letter, setting out a framework which would be used to guide the focus of the Peer Challenge was attached at Annex 1 to the report. The Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee were supportive of the Peer Challenge and were in agreement with the proposed make up of Members which gave proportional representation. 

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial considerations, in particular the main variable factors, the value for money considerations and legal implications.

Cllr Boughton proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)        the funding for the Peer Challenge at a cost of between £18-22k (the main variable factors being the availability of consultants and expenses, especially hotel costs which were estimated as part of the guide cost) be approved, with the funding to be drawn from the Transformation Reserve;

(2)        the update on the fee quote, be noted; and

(3)        the on-going work to deliver the Peer Challenge within the target dates set out by the Annual Service Delivery Plan, be noted.

As set out in the report submitted to Cabinet on 30 June 2025 (contains exempt information).