Planning authorities across Scotland are‘firefighting’ to access resources and are increasingly looking to consultants, digital approaches, and artificial intelligence to help fill gaps according to the latest planning workforce survey published by the National Planning Improvement Champion.
The report highlights how workforce and capacity challenges are key issues for planning services that are affecting how they function:
- 88% of responding planning authorities reported at least one vacancy, while 38% reported four or more vacancies.
- The most commonly reported barriers to filling vacancies were a lack of qualified or experienced applicants, hiring freezes or lack of funds.
- There are challenges for planning authorities given an ageing workforce and inconsistencies in levels of accredited staff; 24% of planning staff were aged 55 or over, while 53% were aged 45 or over.
Based on the findings, the report identifies actions to:
- Explore the future demand for planners and how to ensure that there is a sufficient pipeline of people entering planning authorities.
- Establish what emerging technologies, development trends and future challenges could have an impact on planning authorities operational, knowledge and skill needs.
- Explore how a more holistic approach can be taken to talent management across sectors to make more effective use and enhance the experience of planners across the country.
- Explore why there is inconsistency in levels of accredited staff across planning authorities and identify how planning authority staff can use their time most effectively by using digital tools and artificial intelligence
The National Planning Improvement publication Insights Report: Workforce and Capacity in Scottish Planning Authorities sets out the findings from the annual workforce survey that goes out to all 34 planning authorities. 32 responses were received.
The National Planning Improvement team alongside Planning Skills are hosting a webinar on Tuesday 13 October, to discuss the actions and identify ways forward.