Decision details

To appoint an Agency Contractor to provide Maternity Cover

Decision Maker: Corporate Director (Planning and Community)

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To enable the Planning Service to meets its statutory obligations for the determination of planning applications while two members of staff are on maternity leave.
Agreement by workforce panel in November 2025.

Decision:

To appoint an Agency Contractor to provide maternity cover commencing March 2026.
Costs to be covered by Statutory Maternity Pay and salary savings. This was approved by the Workforce Panel (001005) on 12th November 2025 when the relevant budget costs were agreed.
Recruitment to be made in conjunction with Essex County Council (People Operations) - CO0096 Temporary and Permanent Worker Supply Chain DPS

Alternative options considered:

The decision to appoint an agency officer to provide maternity cover has been made with consideration to LGR but at the present time the matter is not impacted.

Publication date: 17/02/2026

Date of decision: 11/02/2026