Appendix 1 DM Performance FQ2 2025-26
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 November 2025
Back to Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee — 18 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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# Volumes FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Statutory 508 509 511 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 411 2012 75.9% 1982 76.1% 1751 74.3% 1690 76.1% 826 75.3% Non-Statutory 21 10 10 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 25 56 2.1% 51 2.0% 87 3.7% 85 3.8% 48 4.4% PREAPP 122 166 153 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 107 582 22.0% 570 21.9% 520 22.1% 447 20.1% 223 20.3% Totals 651 685 674 607 643 679 594 631 549 584 602 549 542 529 554 543 2650 2603 2358 2222 1097 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework received. YTD as at 30th September 2025 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. FY25/26 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 FQ2 25/26: Submission rates for FQ2 were within expected parameters. Commentary: FY24/25 New Casework Received FY21/22 FY22/23 FY23/24 508 509 511 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 411 21 10 10 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 25 122 166 153 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 107 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Volume of New Casework Received PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 75.3% 4.4% 20.3% Split of Casework Received: FY25/26 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP Appendix 1
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# Volumes FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Statutory 393 396 410 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 407 1610 72.4% 1549 74.5% 1778 75.1% 1780 76.5% 777 73.8% Non-Statutory 9 13 9 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 22 46 2.1% 33 1.6% 75 3.2% 88 3.8% 43 4.1% PREAPP 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 568 25.5% 496 23.9% 513 21.7% 459 19.7% 233 22.1% 2224 2078 2366 2327 1053 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework closed. data source = UNIform (Access queries) YTD as at 30th September 2025 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. FY21/22 FY22/23 FY23/24 Casework Closed FY24/25 FY25/26 YTD Split of Casework Closed The data set covers the last 16 financial quarters and demsonstrates 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 FQ2 25/26: Productivity during 2025/26 has reduced although this is not wholly unexpected as the Service has operated with vacancies during this period. Output during FQ 2 has improved from the previous period but still lags behind output from 24/25. Output continues to be impacted by vacancies and training of incoming staff members; performance is also impacted by the Summer holiday period which has seen reduced availability of officers. Commentary: 393 396 410 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 407 9 13 9 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 22 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Volume of Casework Closed PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 73.8% 4.1% 22.1% Split of Casework Closed: FY25/26 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP
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# Volumes FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Closed 402 409 419 377 407 379 495 439 479 440 481 495 442 450 391 429 Validated 438 450 462 455 436 509 462 428 366 428 425 425 370 400 387 427 Difference (no) -36 -41 -43 -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 2 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 FQ2 25/26: Turnover during FQ2 to date has seen output match demand. -36 -41 -43 -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 2 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 -400 -350 -300 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 Casework 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 2+ Years 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 37 289 239 192 129 102 86 90 91 0 0 0 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. Excellent progress has been made over the course of 2024/25 months in reducing the volume of legacy items from 239 to 86 items. End FQ2 25/26: During FQ2, 16 legacy items were detewrmined. However, during this period 17 new legacy items have accrued. 2025 to date has seen a period where efforts at addressing outstanding legacy cases has plateaued and gives rise to concern. 204 166 130 89 66 48 48 54 0 0 0 0 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 37 0 0 0 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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# Volumes FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Closed 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 100 Validated 118 153 159 137 117 140 117 132 120 130 115 92 103 116 117 100 Difference (no) -1 -8 -10 -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 0 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. It had previously been identified that the backlog amounted to around 180 applications; however following a review of the data input and accuracy of the data available (see detail of correction below) it has become evident that earlier reports included cases that were invalid and cases that had not been closed off proprerly in the back office system. The updated report confirms that the backlog of pre-application enquiries reached a maximum of just over 50 items; this position has seen significant improvement. End FQ2 25/26: FQ2 to date has seen output continuing to keep pace with demand. -1 -8 -10 -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 0 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 PREAPP Turnover Rate
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# FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 < 6 months 10.6 10.8 10.9 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 < 6 months 92 79 71 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 66 < 1 year 10.8 13.3 12.4 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 6 months - 1 year 1 8 5 6 4 11 13 12 9 19 6 8 5 4 1 0 < 2 years 11.8 13.8 12.4 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 1 - 2 years 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 3 2 4 7 1 3 2 0 All Determined 11.8 13.8 12.4 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 Over 2 years 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 0 0 Total 94 88 76 76 86 62 59 83 75 75 60 75 59 68 62 66 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 FQ2 25/26: During FQ2 to date Householder Applications have been determined in an average of 7.9 weeks (improvement from 10.4 weeks during FQ1 25/26); no legacy items have been determined during FQ2. Performance in the determination of householder applications is currently on track (DM Service Plan Target <10 weeks), National Average (latest data FQ2 24/25) was 8.7 weeks. 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. 10.6 10.8 10.9 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 7.9 7.9 11.8 13.8 12.4 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 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Average no. of weeks to determine: Householder (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months < 1 year < 2 years All Determined 92 79 71 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 66 1 8 5 6 4 11 13 12 9 19 6 8 5 4 1 1 1 1 4 3 2 4 7 1 3 2 1 2 4 1 1 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 % 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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# FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 < 6 months 11.1 11.5 12.4 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 < 6 months 118 125 114 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 92 < 1 year 13.5 13.4 14.5 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 6 months - 1 year 13 11 14 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 15 < 2 years 13.9 14.2 15.7 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 1 - 2 years 1 2 3 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 11 All Determined 18.5 16.7 16.8 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 Over 2 years 4 3 1 1 0 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 5 Total 136 141 132 136 153 105 129 156 155 144 163 176 155 147 128 123 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. Performance during FQ1 2024/25 has markedly improved and appears to indicate the start of an improving trend with decreasing time periods. End FQ2 25/26: FQ2 has seen 16 legacy applications cleared to date, with the effect of adding 10.2 weeks to the overall average time measure which now sits at 24.5 weeks (improvement from 26.7 weeks in FQ1 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 FQ2 the determination of non-legacy local applications were undertaken in an average of 14.3 weeks (improvement from 17.9 weeks in FQ1 25/26). It is however highlighted that a consistently high proportion of applications are continuing to being determined at an early stage with 74% of all local applications in FQ2 to date were newer items determined in an average time of 10.9 weeks (previously 62% in 10.4 weeks in FQ1 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 24/25) was 14.8 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. 11.1 11.5 12.4 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 13.5 14.313.9 19.7 18.5 16.7 16.8 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 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 Ave no. of weeks to determine: Local (Excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) 118 125 114 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 92 13 11 14 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 15 1 2 3 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 11 4 3 1 1 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 5 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% FY21/22 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FQ2 % Split: Local (excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 - 2 years Over 2 years