Cuts could be coming to the Isle of Wight Council’s planning department.
Discretionary planning enforcement could be scaled back or removed under proposed cuts worth £381,491 over 3 years.
The savings proposal, which would reduce staffing and operational costs, is included in a new report from County Hall’s strategic director of community services, Simon Moon.
His paper warns that reducing or removing discretionary planning enforcement could lead to more unauthorised developments and planning breaches going unchallenged.
It comes as the council’s financial position continues to be affected by inflationary pressures, increasing service demand and ongoing uncertainty over future local government funding.
“This proposal seeks to investigate reducing discretionary planning enforcement activities and focusing resources on statutory planning functions,” the report says.
“Initial assessment identifies potential savings of £104,043 in 2027/28 rising to £138,724 in future years.
“Residents may perceive the planning system as less fair or effective if enforcement action is limited to only statutory requirements.”
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It says that over time, unmanaged breaches could create more complex cases requiring greater resources to resolve.
The main risks with the proposed cuts are listed as reduced investigation activity, increased community concerns, greater reliance on reactive enforcement and reputational impacts for the council.
Further legal review, equality impact assessment, workforce consultation and a service impact review would be required before any implementation decision is taken, the report adds.
The proposed cuts are among a series of savings, efficiency, cost avoidance and income generation proposals presented in the document.
It says the local authority is required to look at opportunities to improve efficiency, recover costs where appropriate, generate additional income and redesign services to support long-term financial sustainability while protecting essential frontline services.
Council officers have recommended the environment and community protection committee (ECPC) endorse the plans for referral to the policy, finance and resources committee as part of the council’s budget setting process.
ECPC councillors will consider Mr Moon’s report at a County Hall meeting on 29th October, from 17:00.
