Agenda Document Pack - Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. -
North Lanarkshire Council · 11 September 2023
Back to Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee — 11 September 2023 and its agenda
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04/09/2023 Notice of Meeting and Agenda Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Monday, 11 September 2023 11:15 Remotely by MS Teams, Membership Councillor Lawrence O’Neill (Convener); Councillor David Wilson (Vice-Convener). Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin and Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor Chris Curley (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Richard Nelson and Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Further Information - online meetings only This meeting is on-line only but is a meeting which is open to members of the public by prior arrangement. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk MARK CONAGHAN Clerk Page 1 of 20
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04/09/2023 Members of the Press and Public - contact details Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should contact democratic- services@renfrewshire.gov.uk to allow the necessary arrangements to be made. Page 2 of 20
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04/09/2023 Items of business Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements Members are asked to declare an interest or make a transparency statement in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest or the transparency statement. 1 Minutes Minute of meeting of the Joint Committee held on 12 June 2023 and Minute of special meeting of the Joint Committee held on 28 June 2023. 5 - 14 2 Audited Annual Accounts 2022/23 Report by Treasurer. (cover report only - appendices to follow) 15 - 16 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report by Treasurer. 17 - 18 4 Resourcing Delivery of the Green Network 'Blueprint' Report by Development Officer. 19 - 20 5 The next steps towards a Regional Spatial Strategy Verbal report by Kevin Rush, Director of Regional Economic Growth, Glasgow City Region. 6 Date of Next Meeting Note that the next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held at 11.15 am on 11 December 2023. Page 3 of 20
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Minute of Meeting Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Monday, 12 June 2023 11:15 Remotely by MS Teams, Present Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Chair Councillor O’Neill, Convener, presided. In Attendance H Holland, Executive Officer - Land Planning & Development (East Dunbartonshire Council); J Nicol, Planning & Building Standards Manager (East Renfrewshire Council); S Shaw, Head of Planning (Glasgow City Council); S Jamieson, Head of Regeneration and Planning (Inverclyde Council); L Bowden, Planning & Place Manager (North Lanarkshire Council); M Conaghan, Clerk (for item 1 only), A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development Services, C McCourt, Head of Finance & Procurement, K Campbell, Assistant Chief Auditor, D Love, Chief Planning Officer, A Burns, Corporate Finance Team Manager, T McGowan, Senior Accountancy Assistant and E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Renfrewshire Council); F Carlin, Head of Planning & Regulatory Services and T Finn, Planning & Building Standards Manager (both South Lanarkshire Council) and P Clifford, Planning & Building Services Manager (West Dunbartonshire Council). Item 1 Page 5 of 20
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Apologies Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council) and Councillor Richard Nelson (South Lanarkshire Council). Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. Order of Business In terms of Standing Order 12, the Convener intimated that he proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering item 5 of the agenda before item 1 of the agenda. 1 Glasgow and The Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee - Towards a Regional Spatial Strategy Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 13 March 2023, there was submitted a report by the Clydeplan Steering Group outlining potential options for the management and governance arrangements for the duty to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and seeking the views of the Joint Committee on the preferred model for implementation. The report also dealt with the requisite cessation of the Joint Committee due to the recent changes in planning legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament. The report provided the background in relation to NPF4 and the introduction of RSSs which, unlike the Clydeplan, would not form part of the statutory development plan, this would now comprise NPF4 and individual authorities’ local development plans (LDPs). RSSs would feed into the planning process by guiding the preparation of relevant LDPs and future iterations of NPF. The report intimated that, given these changes, the role and remit for which the Joint Committee had been originally established would significantly change. A copy of the Minute of Agreement was appended to the report. The report advised that there was no prescription in The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 on how local authorities discharged the duty to prepare a RSS and it was open for local authorities to consider their preferred model. The RSS would not be a statutory document and it was not clear what, if any, role a regional body like the Joint Committee would have in approving its content. Guidance on the preparation of RSSs was pending, however the Scottish Government were yet to confirm the timescale and this was an appropriate juncture to examine the future governance of joint working on regional planning matters and to seek the settled view of the Joint Committee. Page 6 of 20
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The report set out three proposed options for the Joint Committee in terms of a proposed way forward with the preparation and governance of the forthcoming RSS; provided detail in relation to staffing and funding; and the next steps. Alasdair Morrison, Lead Officer advised that recommendation (b) of the report should be amended to now read ‘(b) notes the cessation of Strategic Development Plans and the resultant implications for the Joint Committee’. Following discussion, the Convener proposed that consideration of this report be continued to a special meeting of the Joint Committee to be held remotely on MS teams in the week commencing 26 June 2023 and that members be advised of the date and time of the special meeting when known. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That consideration of this report be continued to a special meeting of the Joint Committee to be held remotely on MS teams in the week commencing 26 June 2023 and that members be advised of the date and time of the special meeting when known. 2 Minute There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 13 March 2022. DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 3 Unaudited Annual Accounts 2022/23 There was submitted a report by the Treasurer relative to the unaudited annual accounts for 2022/23, a copy of which was appended to the report. The report intimated that the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 would be submitted to Azets in advance of the statutory deadline of 30 June 2023. It was noted that the Joint Committee had returned a surplus of £75,163 for the financial year resulting in an underspend of £105,163 against the planned deficit of £30,000. The report advised that the management commentary within the accounts provided an overview of the Joint Committee’s financial performance during 2022/23 and its outlook for the future. The report further advised that The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 required the Joint Committee to prepare and publish a set of accounts, including an Annual Governance Statement, by 30 June each year. The unaudited accounts were then required to be formally considered by the Joint Committee with the Annual Governance Statement being formally approved at this time. Once considered, the accounts would be subject to external audit by Azets by 30 September 2023 and the report advised that the 2022/23 audited Annual Accounts would be submitted to the meeting of the Joint Committee scheduled to be held on 11 September 2023 for approval and signing by the Convener, the Lead Officer and the Treasurer, in accordance with the regulations. DECIDED: Page 7 of 20
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(a) That the unaudited Annual Accounts for 2022/23 be noted; (b) That the Annual Governance Statement be approved; and (c) That the final budget position for 2022/23 be noted. 4 Internal Audit Engagement - Governance Arrangements There was submitted a report by the Chief Auditor relative to the audit of the Joint Committee’s governance arrangements. The report intimated that in line with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, Internal Audit must communicate the results of each engagement to the Joint Committee. It was noted that the Chief Auditor would submit summary reports of completed audit engagements to the Joint Committee on the conclusion of each engagement for formal consideration by members in line with best practice. The summary for the internal audit review of governance arrangements, completed in December 2022, was appended to the report and detailed the overall assurance rating and the number of recommendations in each risk category. DECIDED: That the summary for the internal audit review of the Joint Committee’s governance arrangements, appended to the report, be noted. 5 Internal Audit Annual Report 2022/23 There was submitted a report by the Chief Auditor relative to the Internal Audit Annual Report on the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority for 2022/23. The report intimated that the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards required that the Chief Auditor prepare an annual report on the internal audit activity’s purpose, authority and responsibility, as well as performance relative to its plan. The report also required to provide an audit opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control system of the audited body. The Annual Report for the Joint Committee was attached as an appendix to the report and outlined the role of internal audit, the performance of the internal audit team and the main findings from the internal audit work undertaken in 2022/23 and contained an audit assurance statement. The Assistant Chief Auditor advised that, in relation to paragraph 4.1 of the Annual Report, the percentage of audit assignments completed by target date in the last column should read 98% and not 93% as stated, and that the percentage completion of audit plan for the year should read 93% and not 98% as stated. DECIDED: That, subject to the above amendments, the Internal Audit Annual Report for 2022/23 be noted. Page 8 of 20
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6 Date of Next Meeting DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that a special meeting of the Joint Committee would be held remotely on MS teams in the week commencing 26 June 2023 and that members be advised of the date and time of the special meeting when known; and (b) That it be noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Joint Committee would be held at 11.15 am on 11 September 2023 and that members be advised if this meeting would be held remotely using MS teams or would be an ‘in person’ meeting. Page 9 of 20
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Minute of Special Meeting Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Wednesday, 28 June 2023 09:00 Remotely by MS teams, Present Councillor Jim Gibbons (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin and Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Chair Councillor O’Neill, Convener, presided. In Attendance H Holland, Executive Officer - Land Planning & Development (East Dunbartonshire Council); J Nicol, Planning & Building Standards Manager (East Renfrewshire Council); L Bowden, Planning & Place Manager (North Lanarkshire Council); M Conaghan (Clerk), A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development Services, C McCourt, Head of Finance & Procurement, D Love, Chief Planning Officer, A Burns, Corporate Finance Team Manager, D Low, Democratic Services Manager, P Shiach, Senior Committee Services Officer, T McGowan, Senior Accountancy Assistant and D Pole, End User Technician (all Renfrewshire Council); F Carlin, Head of Planning & Regulatory Services (South Lanarkshire Council); S Taylor, Principal Planner (Glasgow City Council); and A Williamson, Development Planning and Place Team Leader (West Dunbartonshire Council). Page 11 of 20
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Apology Councillor Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council). Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. 1 Glasgow and The Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee - Towards a Regional Spatial Strategy Under reference to item 1 of the Minute of the meeting of this Joint Committee held on 12 June 2023, there was submitted a report by the Clydeplan Steering Group outlining potential options for the management and governance arrangements for the duty to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and seeking the views of the Joint Committee on the preferred model for implementation. The report also dealt with the potential cessation of the Joint Committee due to the recent changes in planning legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament. The report provided the background in relation to National Planning Framework (NPF4) and the introduction of RSSs which, unlike the Clydeplan, would not form part of the statutory development plan, this would now comprise NPF4 and individual authorities’ local development plans (LDPs). RSSs would feed into the planning process by guiding the preparation of relevant LDPs and future iterations of NPF. The report intimated that, given these changes, the role and remit for which the Joint Committee had been originally established would significantly change. A copy of the Minute of Agreement formed Appendix 1 to the report. The report advised that there was no prescription in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 on how local authorities discharged the duty to prepare an RSS and it was open for local authorities to consider their preferred model. The RSS would not be a statutory document and it was not clear what, if any, role a regional body like the Joint Committee would have in approving its content. Guidance on the preparation of RSSs was pending, however the Scottish Government were yet to confirm the timescale. Appendix 2 to the report set out four proposed options for the Joint Committee in terms of a proposed way forward with the preparation and governance of the forthcoming RSS; and the report provided detail in relation to staffing and funding; and the next steps. Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Councillor Wilson, moved that the contents of the report be noted; that the cessation of strategic development plans be noted; and that the preferred option for considering regional spatial strategy planning issues going forward be as detailed in option 1(b) which stated that ‘the Clydeplan staff team would be integrated into the existing city region Programme Management Office (overseen by the Director of Regional Economic Growth) who would take responsibility for preparing an RSS and reporting this through to the Joint Committee for approval’. Page 12 of 20
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Councillor Stubbs, seconded by Councillor Brown, moved as an amendment that the contents of the report be noted; that the cessation of strategic development plans be noted; and that the preferred option for considering regional spatial strategy planning issues going forward be as detailed in option 1 which stated ‘existing Clydeplan staff resource would be reviewed in light of the new requirements for RSS preparation. Staff would be consulted on a possible TUPE transfer to Glasgow City Council. If transferred, the team would be integrated into the existing city region structures (overseen by the Regional Director) who would take responsibility for preparing an RSS and reporting this through to the GCR Cabinet for approval. This would move the duty to prepare an RSS directly into the city region governance structures’. On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Gibbons, Edlin, Merrick, McLean, Andrew, Fisher, Stubbs and Brown. The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Wilson, McNaughtan, O’Neill and Johal. 8 members having voted for the amendment and 4 members having voted for the motion, the amendment was accordingly declared carried. DECIDED: (a) That the contents of the report be noted; (b) That the cessation of strategic development plans be noted; and (c) That the preferred option for considering regional spatial strategy planning issues going forward be that existing Clydeplan staff resource be reviewed in light of the new requirements for RSS preparation. Staff would be consulted on a possible TUPE transfer to Glasgow City Council. If transferred, the team would be integrated into the existing city region structures (overseen by the Regional Director) who would take responsibility for preparing an RSS and reporting this through to the GCR Cabinet for approval. This would move the duty to prepare an RSS directly into the city region governance structures. Page 13 of 20
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GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITY JOINT COMMITTEE ___________________________________________________________________ To: Joint Committee On: 11 September 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Treasurer ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Audited Annual Accounts 2022/23 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The unaudited Annual Accounts for 2022/23 were presented to the Joint Committee on 12 June 2023 and submitted for audit by the statutory deadline of 30 June 2023. 1.2 The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 require the audited accounts to be approved for signature no later than 30 September each year. 1.3 Section 10 of the 2014 regulations requires the Joint Committee to consider any report made by the appointed auditor before deciding whether to sign the audited accounts. The findings of the appointed auditor, Azets, are presented in the Annual Audit Report, which can be found at Appendix 1. 1.4 There are audit adjustments relating to a misstatement of interest receivable, now reclassified as Other Income (£3k); and an adjustment to pension figures, following receipt of revised actuarial reports (£36k). 1.5 Following approval, the audited accounts will be submitted to the Convener, Treasurer and the Head of Economy and Development for secure digital signature. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members: (a) Note the findings of the 2022/23 audit as contained in the Annual Audit Report (Appendix 1); and (b) Approve the 2022/23 Audited Annual Accounts (Appendix 2) for signature. Item 2 Page 15 of 20
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GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITY JOINT COMMITTEE To: Joint Committee On: 11 September 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: The Treasurer ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Revenue Budget Monitoring Report to 18 August 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The forecast position for Clydeplan by 31 March 2024 is a projected underspend of £73k, as explained in section 4. ______________________________________________________________ 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Members consider the report. _____________________________________________________ 3 Budget Adjustments 3.1 There have been no budget adjustments since the start of the financial year. ________________________________________________________________ 4 Budget Performance 4.1 Projected Year-end Position £73k (favourable) Previously Reported N/A The revenue budget monitoring appendix below shows a projected underspend in Employee Costs of £133k. While an estimated pay award of 6% has been factored into the forecast, this is offset by vacancies that have not yet been filled, including two Strategic Planner posts and two management posts. This forecast underspend is partially offset by overspends in Supplies and Services, mainly due to an increase in audit fees and computer maintenance costs; and Transfer Payments, relating to the funding of a Green Network Partnership Development Officer post, previously approved by the Joint Committee. ___________________________________________________________________ Item 3 Page 17 of 20
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Core Operations Approved
Budget Full Year Actual Projected Full
Year Actual
Budget Variance
£000s £000s £000s £000s
Employee Costs 493 84 360 133
Property Costs 20 1 20 (0)
Transport Costs 1 0 1 0
Supplies and Services 27 3 38 (10)
Transfer Payments 2 0 49 (48)
Support Costs 24 2 25 (2)
Gross Expenditure 567 91 494 73
Council Requisitions (544) 0 (544) 0
Other Income (3) 0 (3) 0
Gross Income (547) 0 (547) 0
TRANSFER (TO)/FROM RESERVES 20 91 (53) 73
Summary of in-year Movement in Reserves £000s
Opening Revenue Reserve at 1 April 2023 (389)
Budgeted Draw on Reserves 20
Projected Year-end variance (73)
Closing Revenue Reserve at 31 March 2024 (443)
% of Operating Income 80.9%
Employee Costs: Includes direct employee costs such as salary costs, overtime and indirect employee costs such as training, recruitment advertising
Property Costs: Includes expenses directly related to the running of premises and land, eg rates, rents and leases, utilities, contract cleaning
Transport Costs: Includes all costs associated with the provision, hire or use of transport, including travelling allowances, taxi and car hire costs and staff mileage
Supplies and Services: Includes all supplies and service expenses, such as ICT costs, and administrative costs such as stationery, postages, printing and advertising
Transfer Payments: Includes costs of payments for which no good or services are received in return e.g. Apprenticeship Levy
Support Costs: Includes central support charges e.g. Renfrewshire Council SLA and telephony recharges ('Administration Costs' in approved budget)
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING STATEMENT 2023/24
1st April 2023 - 18 August 2023
JOINT COMMITTEE - GLASGOW & CLYDE VALLEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITY
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Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority To: Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee On: 12th September 2023 Report by Ally Corbett, Development Officer Resourcing Delivery of the Green Network ‘Blueprint’ 1. Introduction 1.1 This report is for the Joint Committee to consider the resources required for delivery of the Green Network ‘Blueprint’, to produce a Regional Spatial Strategy and provide support to partners. 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that the Joint Committee extend the Green Network Development Officer fixed term contract, which currently ends on 31st March 2024, for a maximum of one year, or until such times as Clydeplan and Green Network staff transition to Glasgow City Region PMO. 3. Background 3.1 The Joint Committee at its meeting held on 13th September 2021 approved use of £95,000 from Clydeplan Useable Revenue Reserves to fund a two year fixed term Green Network Development Officer post to support delivery of the Green Network Blueprint. This was in recognition of the scale of the task and the loss of the Green Network Programme Manager post and the impact this had on capacity. 3.2 The officer was appointed in April 2022 restoring the Green Network team staffing level to 2.6 FTE, having a significant impact on the team’s ability to drive forward delivery of the Blueprint, and to support partners respond to the requirements of NPF4. 3.3 The fixed term contract will end in March 2024 and, with uncertainty over a staff transition to Glasgow City Region PMO, the potential exists for the officer to seek more security elsewhere, with a resultant loss in capacity and the skills developed over the last 18 months. Item 4 Page 19 of 20
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4. Progress to date and future work 41. The Development Officer has responsibility for leading on two elements of the Blueprint, grassland and wetland nature networks. Significant progress has been made on moving these workstreams forward including: developing partnerships of local authorities, agencies and NGOs with the skills and expertise to oversee and guide both workstreams; securing funding through the Nature Restoration Fund for work to inform targeted delivery; and project managing that work successfully to completion. The work outlined above will also play a central role in identifying “Nature Networks”, a new requirement for local authorities through NPF4. 4.2 The officer is now working with each of the eight GCR local authorities to identify a programme of delivery projects with the intention of applying to the Nature Restoration Fund in Spring 2024 for funding upwards of £250k. 4.4 The grassland and wetland initiatives have benefited enormously from having a dedicated resource to drive them forward and are now at a critical point in the transition from development to delivery. The next six months to a year will be crucial in that transition. 4.5 More generally, the Green Network team will have a key role in developing the environmental aspects of the Regional Spatial Strategy and in supporting the eight GCR authorities meet the suite of new requirements set out in NPF4, the LDP Guidance and for Open Space Strategies and Play Sufficiency Assessments. This will be a significant workstream for the team and likely to extend over the next two to three years. 5. Proposal 5.1 To support ‘Blueprint’ delivery, development of the Regional Spatial Strategy and partners in meeting the requirements of NPF4, it is proposed to utilise circa £47,000 of the Useable Revenue Reserves held by Clydeplan to extend the Green Network Development Officer fixed term post until 31st March 2024. Clydeplan Reserves are currently estimated at £220,000. 5.2 If the transition to the GCR PMO happens within that timeframe, then only a proportion or none of that sum would be required. Page 20 of 20