4 Resources and Risk Management

4.1 A separate risk assessment (attached at Appendix A) has been undertaken of the risks which may affect the Council’s ability to meet the planned timetable. The main risks relate to changes to the planning system at a national level, staff turnover, recruitment, absence, and competing work priorities in addition to potential future budget cuts. The increased use of outside consultants or temporary staff may be required to keep Local Plan document preparation on schedule. 

4.2 Further changes to the national planning system represent a high risk that could introduce some uncertainty and delay. The delay to the publication of National Development Management Policies may create additional work. The new system for plan making being introduced under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (2023) have yet to commence and Government announced that plans being submitted under the current system for plan-making must be submitted by December 2026 although this was previously June 2025. 

4.3 Mechanisms for cooperation with other authorities and organisations on strategic issues are already in place but mean that the timing of other authorities' Local Plan preparation may have an impact on Cheshire West and Chester.