Issue details

To help address the backlog of planning applications and pre-application advice responses in the Planning Service caused by temporary vacancies / absences in the Service and increased numbers of applications received.

Part A: A request for an exemption to the requirement to follow rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules is made under rule 21 of the council’s Contract Procedure Rules. This will allow a direct award of a contract extension to a contractor to supply two consultants to be considered under Part B of this report, in order to provide urgent support in processing
planning applications within the Development Management team.

Part B: Subject to the approval of the exemption request under Part A, a request is made to approve the budget for the proposed contract extension and for the contract extension to be directly entered into with OLR Planning Limited.