The Head of Policy, Communications and Governance introduced the report, referencing the £860,000 in central government funding to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Recovery and Renewal Action Plan had been developed through a series of Member Briefings and consultations, followed by its consideration at the Policy and Resources Committee in July 2021.

The Council’s other Service Committees had been asked to review the actions within their remit, with the feedback provided to be presented at the October 2021 Policy and Resources Committee Meeting.

Appendix A to the report outlined the actions proposed, which focused on providing additional resources within planning related services.

In response to questions, the Head of Planning and Development stated that the resources for the ‘Heritage and Landscape’ action could, partly, provide for improved facilities, such as an improved digitised database for Tree Protection Orders (TPO) to improve productivity. However, a request was made for the Council’s website to be more easily accessible for those wishing to research TPOs, alongside prioritisation for recruiting additional staff members where required. 

It was stated that the actions proposed would allow for greater resilience within the service moving forward and the Committee expressed support for the actions proposed.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The actions at Appendix A to be report be considered; and

2.  The support for the actions as proposed at Appendix A to the report be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration on 20 October 2021.