Appendix 1 - DM Performance FQ1 2026-27
Argyll and Bute Council · 15 September 2026
Back to Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee — 15 September 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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# Volumes FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Statutory 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 411 397 423 405 1982 76.1% 1751 74.3% 1690 76.1% 1646 75.4% 405 72.2% Non-Statutory 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 25 20 12 20 51 2.0% 87 3.7% 85 3.8% 80 3.7% 20 3.6% PREAPP 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 107 118 117 136 570 21.9% 520 22.1% 447 20.1% 458 21.0% 136 24.2% Totals 607 643 679 594 631 549 584 602 549 542 529 554 543 535 552 561 2603 2358 2222 2184 561 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework received. YTD as at 30th June 2026 data source = UNIform (Access queries) This tab provides information on the volume of DM case work received by financial quarter and includes a breakdown between statutory items (planning and related applications), non- statutory items (consultations from other regulatory bodies), and pre-application enquiries. FY26/27 YTD Split of Casework Received The data set covers the last 16 financial quarters and confirms that demand for the determination of planning applications and other statutory activity of the Council as the Planning Authority remains high and relatively constant in its volume. End of FQ1 26/27: Submission rates for FQ1 were within expected parameters. Commentary: FY25/26 New Casework Received FY22/23 FY23/24 FY24/25 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 411 397 423 405 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 25 20 12 20 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 107 118 117 136 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Volume of New Casework Received PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 72.2% 3.6% 24.2% Split of Casework Received: FY26/27 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP Appendix 1
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# Volumes FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Statutory 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 407 382 383 451 1549 74.5% 1778 75.1% 1780 76.5% 1542 74.0% 451 75.5% Non-Statutory 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 22 26 20 19 33 1.6% 75 3.2% 88 3.8% 89 4.3% 19 3.2% PREAPP 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 97 124 127 496 23.9% 513 21.7% 459 19.7% 454 21.8% 127 21.3% 2078 2366 2327 2085 597 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework closed. data source = UNIform (Access queries) YTD as at 30th June 2026 This tab provides detail on the volume of DM casework that has been closed and includes a breakdown between statutory items (planning and related applications), non-statutory items (consultations from other regulatory bodies), and pre-application enquiries. FY22/23 FY23/24 FY24/25 Casework Closed FY25/26 FY26/27 YTD Split of Casework Closed The data set covers the last 16 financial quarters and demonstrates that regardless of performance issues in respect of timeliness output remains high. There has been a notable improvement in productivity from FQ1 2023/24 which corresponds with the increasing availability of officer resource and a more settled position following the significant disruption to workflow arising from NPF4 (FQ4 2022/23); this improving position has continued through subsequent reporting periods. End FQ1 26/27 2026: Output during FQ 1 significantly improved compared to the previous reporting period. Commentary: 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 407 382 383 451 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 22 26 20 19 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 97 124 127 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Volume of Casework Closed PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 75.5% 3.2% 21.3% Split of Casework Closed: FY26/27 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP
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# Volumes FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Closed 377 407 379 495 439 479 440 481 495 442 450 391 429 408 403 470 Validated 455 436 509 462 428 366 428 425 425 370 400 387 427 387 418 386 Difference (no) -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 2 21 -15 84 This data is unfiltered - it shows the number of cases closed vs number of cases validated. data source = UNIform (Access queries) Casework Turnover - Volume This tab shows a comparison between the volume of new statutory and non-statutory casework and output per financial quarter. The Y axis has been formatted to track the cumulative backlog of applications over the last rolling 16 financial quarters. Commentary: The graph shows that after 7 financial quarters (FQ2 2021/22 - FQ4 2022/23) where output was lower than input, a backlog of 375 casework items were accumulated. During this period the DM Service were impacted by Covid restrictions/recovery and required to operate with a number of key vacancies due to a national shortage of planning professionals. Improving performance during 2023/24 has however reduced the backlog at the end of that period to 206 items. As significant improvement in performance is evident from FQ1 2023/24 which corresponds with the resolution of key staffing issues within the Service, this improving position has been maintained moving forward from that point. End FQ1 26/27: Productivity for FQ1 was excellent and indicates that the backlog of cases arising from IT issues in the previous reporting period continues to be on track to recovery. -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 2 21 -15 84 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400 Casework Turnover Rate
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# Volumes FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Closed 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 97 124 127 Validated 137 117 140 117 132 120 130 115 92 103 116 117 100 118 105 134 Difference (no) -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 0 -21 19 -7 Number of PREAPP's closed vs number of PREAPP's validated. data source = UNIform (Access queries) PREAPP Turnover - Volume This tab shows a comparison between the volume of new pre-application casework and output per financial quarter. The Y axis has been formatted to track the cumulative backlog of pre- application enquiries over the last rolling 16 financial quarters. Commentary: The Graph shows the accumulation of a backlog of pre- application enquiries over the period FQ3 2021/22 - FQ4 2022/23 during a period where the DM Service operated with a number of key vacancies and has experienced significant workflow disruption with the introduction of NPF4. End FQ1 26/27: Workflow for pre-apps has been impacted by issues affecting corporate IT systems which have resulted in a number of submissions having delayed receipt by Development Management. Nonetheless, output remained closely aligned to the volume of new submissions for FQ1. -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 0 -21 19 -7 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 PREAPP Turnover Rate
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Jan '24 Apr Jul Oct Jan '25 Apr Jul Oct Jan '26 Apr Jul Oct 1 - 2 Years 204 166 130 89 66 48 48 54 59 62 49 2+ Years 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 37 34 33 26 289 239 192 129 102 86 90 91 93 95 75 0 Estimated on 1st August 2024. Data sourced from Uniform on - or as near as possible to first working day of each financial quarter (from August 2024) Live Legacy Applications - quarterly progress: Argyll & Bute Council Commentary: This graph provides detail of the volume of 'legacy' cases remaining at the start of each Quarter since Jan 2024 (start FQ4 24/25). 'Legacy' cases are statutory items that remain undetermined more than 1 year after validation. These cases are generally items that have a high degree of complexity, can be contentious, or are not readily aligned with the requirements of the Development Plan. A significant number of 'legacy' items are items that have required substantial reworking or the provision of additional information from the applicant with the intention of addressing identified short-comings in the original submission, often requiring extensive input from planning officers. In some cases 'legacy' items are no longer being actively pursued by applicants but have not as yet been formally withdrawn. The determination of 'legacy' items has a significant adverse effect on average time performance measures and can also impact on allocation of staff resource and morale. End FQ1 26/27: During FQ1, 21 legacy items were determined with only 1 new legacy items being accrued during the reporting period. The significant reduction in legacy cases is directly related to excellent productivity across the whole DM team during FQ1. 204 166 130 89 66 48 48 54 59 62 49 0 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 37 34 33 26 00 50 100 150 200 250 300 Jan '24 Apr Jul Oct Jan '25 Apr Jul Oct Jan '26 Apr Jul Oct Live Legacy Applications: Argyll & Bute 1 - 2 Years 2+ Years
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# FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 < 6 months 10.2 11.0 13.3 11.8 11.6 11.8 12.0 9.6 9.6 10.1 8.5 8.1 7.9 9.3 8.9 10.1 < 6 months 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 66 48 40 54 < 1 year 12.4 12.0 17.3 17.8 15.4 14.6 18.3 12.4 12.6 12.6 9.8 8.7 7.9 9.7 11.9 11.3 6 months - 1 year 6 4 11 13 12 9 19 6 8 5 4 1 0 1 5 2 < 2 years 13.1 12.0 17.3 18.5 18.1 16.8 20.0 16.1 19.0 13.5 12.2 10.4 7.9 10.6 11.9 12.1 1 - 2 years 1 0 0 1 4 3 2 4 7 1 3 2 0 1 0 1 All Determined 13.1 12.0 17.3 21.6 18.1 16.8 20.0 16.1 26.1 15.9 14.2 10.4 7.9 10.6 11.9 12.1 Over 2 years 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Total 76 86 62 59 83 75 75 60 75 59 68 62 66 50 45 57 This data is filtered - as per Scottish Government statistical returns - to allow benchmarking. "Householder" = Development Type N01. data source = UNIform (Access queries) Commentary: The line graph shows performance over time; the bar graph shows the proportionate split between 'legacy' casework and newer items. A comparison of the two demonstrates that the 'All Determined' average can be readily impacted by the determination of a small number of 'legacy' applications. The improving resource availability has allowed the focus of the DM Service from FQ1 2023/24 to move from addressing the most urgent applications to also addressing the wider backlog of application casework. Increasing output does however mean that a high volume of 'legacy' applications continue to be determined with significant deteriment to average time measures as is seen with the deterioration of performance across FQ4 2022/23 to FQ4 2023/24. In order to provide some context additional information is provided that demonstrates the effect of removing older applications from reporting to provide a truer picture of the time taken to deliver the larger proportion of casework. The bar graph provides this breakdown in a format which shows the increasing volume of older applications currently being determined but also confirms that a significant proportion of output is still undertaken in a timely manner. Peformance from FQ1 2024/25 has shown a marked improvement which demonstrates that the majority of householder applications are now being determined in much shorter time periods. End FQ1 26/27: During FQ1 Householder Applications have been determined in an average of 12.1 weeks (decrease from 11.9 weeks during FQ4 25/26); 1 householder legacy item has been determined during FQ1 which has added 1.7 weeks to the headline measure. The lengthening time periods during FQ1 are again attributed to significant issues with backoffice systems from Oct/Nov 2025 with delays rippling forward in terms of casework progression, and significant staff turnover within the two previous reporting periods which has disrupted service delivery and case work management. 95% of householder items determined in FQ1 were all less than 6 months old and determined in an average time of 10.1 weeks (decrease from 8.9 weeks in FQ4 25/26). Performance in the determination of householder applications remains slightly behind track (DM Service Plan Target <10 weeks), National Average (latest data FQ2 25/26) was 8.1 weeks, with the reported average time period for ABC was 6.9 weeks. It is however noted that if current trends for early determination of the majority of householder applications can be maintained then this measure is expected to improve. Average Time to Determine Applications: Householder ( <6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) Volume of Applications Determined: Householder - Time Taken The Average Time Taken to Determine Householder Planning Applications This tab provides detail on the average time taken to determine 'householder' planning applications, this is based on raw data which does not take into account any delays that might arise from matters outwith the control of the planning authority. 10.2 11.0 13.3 11.8 11.6 11.8 12.0 9.6 9.6 10.1 8.5 8.1 7.9 9.3 8.9 10.1 11.3 12.1 13.1 12.0 17.3 21.6 18.1 16.8 20.0 16.1 26.1 15.9 14.2 10.4 7.9 10.6 11.9 12.1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Average no. of weeks to determine: Householder (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months < 1 year < 2 years All Determined 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 66 48 40 54 6 4 11 13 12 9 19 6 8 5 4 1 1 5 2 1 1 4 3 2 4 7 1 3 2 1 1 2 4 1 1 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 % Split: Householder (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 - 2 years Over 2 years
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# FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 < 6 months 10.1 10.2 12.9 13.5 14.0 12.7 12.1 11.6 11.5 12.7 12.2 10.2 10.9 11.2 10.9 10.6 < 6 months 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 92 85 81 102 < 1 year 14.0 18.0 19.2 19.3 18.7 18.8 21.0 19.0 16.3 17.0 15.6 17.9 14.3 15.2 18.5 14.6 6 months - 1 year 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 15 18 34 19 < 2 years 16.1 19.9 23.6 21.9 25.0 25.8 29.3 26.1 24.5 25.6 20.7 21.4 19.7 19.5 24.7 22.6 1 - 2 years 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 11 9 13 18 All Determined 17.0 19.9 24.5 27.6 27.4 30.2 33.4 30.0 37.8 31.2 26.4 26.7 24.5 26.7 29.2 25.0 Over 2 years 1 0 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 5 6 4 2 Total 136 153 105 129 156 155 144 163 176 155 147 128 123 118 132 141 This data is filtered - as per Scottish Government statistical returns - to allow benchmarking. "Local (excluding Householder)" = Development Types N02B/C, N03B/C, N04B/C, N05B/C, N06B/C, N07B/C, N08B/C, N09B/C, N10B/C. data source = UNIform (Access queries) Commentary: The line graph shows performance over time; the bar graph shows the proportionate split between 'legacy' and newer items. A comparison of the two demonstrates that the 'All Determined' average can be readily impacted by the determination of a small number of 'legacy' applications. The improving resource availability has allowed the focus of the DM Service is to move during 2023/24 from addressing the most urgent applications to also addressing the wider backlog of application casework. Increasing output does however mean that a higher volume of 'legacy' applications will be determined with significant deteriment to average time measures as is seen with the deterioration of overall average time performance measures from FQ2 2022/23 to FQ4 2023/24. In order to provide some context additional information is provided that demonstrates the effect of removing older applications from considerations to provide a truer picture of the time taken to deliver the larger proportion of casework that has been determined. The bar graph provides this breakdown in a format which shows the increasing volume of older applications currently being determined but also confirms that a significant proportion of output is still undertaken in a timely manner. End FQ1 26/27: FQ1 has seen 20 legacy applications cleared, with the effect of adding 10.4 weeks to the overall average time measure which now sits at 25.0 weeks (improvement from 29.2 weeks in FQ4 2025/26). It is also noted that some of the negative impact is attributed to delays to determination which were outwith the control of the planning authority and which will be adjusted in statutory reporting by the Scottish Government. During FQ1 the determination of non-legacy local applications were undertaken in an average of 14.6 weeks (improvement from 18.5 weeks in FQ4 25/26). It is however highlighted that a consistently high proportion of applications are continuing to being determined at an early stage with 73% of all local applications in FQ1 being newer items determined in an average time of 10.6 weeks (previously 61% in 10.9 weeks in FQ4 2025/26). Due to the impact of legacy items, the headline measure remains off-track (DM Service Plan Target <16 weeks). For the purpose of comparison, the National Average (latest data FQ2 25/26) was 15.5 weeks, with ABC reporting an average time of 20.5 weeks. Average Time to Determine Applications: Local (Excluding Householder) ( <6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) Volume of Applications Determined: Local (Excluding Householder) - Time Taken The Average Time Taken to Determine Local (excluding Householder) Planning Applications This tab provides detail on the average time taken to determine 'local' planning applications, this is based on raw data which does not take into account any delays that might arise from matters outwith the control of the planning authority. 10.1 10.2 12.9 13.5 14.0 12.7 12.1 11.6 11.5 12.7 12.2 10.2 10.9 11.2 10.9 10.6 14.0 14.6 16.1 22.617.0 19.9 24.5 27.6 27.4 30.2 33.4 30.0 37.8 31.2 26.4 26.7 24.5 26.7 29.2 25.0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 Ave no. of weeks to determine: Local (Excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 92 85 81 102 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 15 18 34 19 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 11 9 13 18 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 5 6 4 2 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% FY22/23 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY26/27 FQ1 % Split: Local (excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 - 2 years Over 2 years