Appendix 1 DM Performance FQ1 2025-26
Argyll and Bute Council · 16 September 2025
Back to Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee — 16 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Classification: OFFICIAL# Volumes FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Statutory 478 508 509 511 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 2012 75.9% 1982 76.1% 1751 74.3% 1690 76.1% 415 74.9% Non-Statutory 20 21 10 10 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 56 2.1% 51 2.0% 87 3.7% 85 3.8% 23 4.2% PREAPP 158 122 166 153 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 582 22.0% 570 21.9% 520 22.1% 447 20.1% 116 20.9% Totals 656 651 685 674 607 643 679 594 631 549 584 602 549 542 529 554 2650 2603 2358 2222 554 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework received. YTD as at 30th June 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 FQ1 2025/26: Submission rates for FQ1 25/26 are on track and do not give cause for concern at this time. Commentary: FY24/25 New Casework Received FY21/22 FY22/23 FY23/24 478 508 509 511 451 508 512 457 468 404 422 469 423 412 386 415 20 21 10 10 10 14 17 15 26 25 21 14 22 23 26 23 158 122 166 153 146 121 150 122 137 120 141 119 104 107 117 116 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Volume of New Casework Received PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 74.9% 4.2% 20.9% Split of Casework Received: FY25/26 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP Appendix 1
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Classification: OFFICIAL# Volumes FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Statutory 411 393 396 410 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 1610 72.4% 1549 74.5% 1778 75.1% 1780 76.5% 370 70.6% Non-Statutory 12 9 13 9 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 46 2.1% 33 1.6% 75 3.2% 88 3.8% 21 4.0% PREAPP 172 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 568 25.5% 496 23.9% 513 21.7% 459 19.7% 133 25.4% 2224 2078 2366 2327 524 This data is unfiltered - it shows all casework closed. data source = UNIform (Access queries) YTD as at 30th June 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 FQ1 2025/26: Productivity during 2025/26 has reduced although this is not wholly unexpected as the Service has operated with a vacancy during this period. Whilst output has kept pace with demand during this quarter the reduction in output is of some concern and will require to be monitored, this has and has precluded any inroads being made in the reduction of 'legacy' items. Commentary: 411 393 396 410 369 402 368 476 421 458 423 464 464 427 425 370 12 9 13 9 8 5 11 19 18 21 17 17 31 15 25 21 172 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Volume of Casework Closed PREAPP Non-Statutory Statutory 70.6% 4.0% 25.4% Split of Casework Closed: FY25/26 YTD Statutory Non-Statutory PREAPP
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Classification: OFFICIAL# Volumes FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Closed 423 402 409 419 377 407 379 495 439 479 440 481 495 442 450 391 Validated 460 438 450 462 455 436 509 462 428 366 428 425 425 370 400 387 Difference (no) -37 -36 -41 -43 -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 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 2025/26: Turnover during FQ1 2025/26 has again seen output exceed demand from new applications. -37 -36 -41 -43 -78 -29 -130 33 11 113 12 56 70 72 50 4 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 -450 -400 -350 -300 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 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 2+ Years 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 289 239 192 129 102 86 90 0 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 FQ1 2025/26: During FQ1, 4 new legacy items have accrued, this aligns with a period of reduced output and will require to be monitored with additional management resource being directed to this particular issue during FQ2. 204 166 130 89 66 48 48 0 0 0 0 0 85 73 62 40 36 38 42 0 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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Classification: OFFICIAL# Volumes FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Closed 172 117 145 149 119 124 104 150 109 121 133 106 122 115 116 133 Validated 162 118 153 159 137 117 140 117 132 120 130 115 92 103 116 117 Difference (no) 10 -1 -8 -10 -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 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 FQ1 2025/26: This quarter has seen output keeping pace with demand largely through a push to close off 'legacy' pre-application enquiries which will also continue into FQ2. 10 -1 -8 -10 -18 7 -36 33 -23 1 3 -9 30 12 0 16 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 PREAPP Turnover Rate
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Classification: OFFICIAL# FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 < 6 months 9.7 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 < 6 months 80 92 79 71 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 < 1 year 9.7 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 6 months - 1 year 0 1 8 5 6 4 11 13 12 9 19 6 8 5 4 1 < 2 years 9.7 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 1 - 2 years 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 4 3 2 4 7 1 3 2 All Determined 9.7 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 Over 2 years 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 1 1 0 Total 80 94 88 76 76 86 62 59 83 75 75 60 75 59 68 62 YTD as at 30th June 2025 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 2025/26: During FQ1 2025/26 Householder Applications have been determined in an average of 10.4 weeks (improvement from 14.2 weeks during FQ4 24/25); 2 legacy items have been determined during FQ1 to date with a resultant impact on the overall headline figure of 1.7 weeks. The remaining items (96%) are all newer applications and have been determined in an average time period of 8.1 weeks (previously 88% in 8.5 weeks during FQ4 24/25). 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. 9.7 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 8.7 10.49.7 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 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Average no. of weeks to determine: Householder (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months < 1 year < 2 years All Determined 80 92 79 71 69 82 51 43 67 63 54 50 56 52 60 59 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 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 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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Classification: OFFICIAL# FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 < 6 months 11.3 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 < 6 months 142 118 125 114 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 < 1 year 14.1 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 6 months - 1 year 20 13 11 14 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 < 2 years 15.3 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 1 - 2 years 3 1 2 3 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 All Determined 16.7 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 Over 2 years 2 4 3 1 1 0 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 Total 167 136 141 132 136 153 105 129 156 155 144 163 176 155 147 128 YTD as at 30th June 2025 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 FQ1 2025/26: FQ1 has seen 15 legacy applications cleared with the effect of adding 9.8 weeks to the overall average time measure which now sits at 26.7 weeks (increase from 26.4weeks in FQ4 2024/25). FQ1 has however seen a disproportionate number of older non-legacy applications being cleared in comparison to new work items and is indicative of reduced output across the Service as a whole in this period. The volume of newer determinations is behind recent performance (62% compared to 74% during FQ4 24/25) although it is highlighted that the time periods for determination new work is continuing to improve. 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 17.9 weeks (increase from 15.6 weeks in FQ4 24/25). It is however highlighted that a consistently high proportion of applications are continuing to being determined at an early stage with 62% of all local applications in FQ1 to date were newer items determined in an average time of 10.2 weeks (previously 75% in 12.2 weeks in FQ4 2024/25). 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. 11.3 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 14.1 17.915.3 21.416.7 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 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 Ave no. of weeks to determine: Local (Excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) 142 118 125 114 110 104 69 87 106 95 79 97 106 104 110 80 20 13 11 14 19 43 25 31 27 32 40 39 26 22 17 33 3 1 2 3 6 6 10 7 20 22 19 23 25 22 13 9 2 4 3 1 1 1 4 3 6 6 4 19 7 7 6 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% FY21/22 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY22/23 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY23/24 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY24/25 FQ1 FQ2 FQ3 FQ4 FY25/26 FQ1 % Split: Local (excluding Householder) (<6 Month, <1 Year, <2 Year, All) < 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 - 2 years Over 2 years