SNP COUNCILLORS ARE SEEKING a staffing review at Moray Council to be included in proposals for across the board increases to licensing by the local authority.

It was revealed last week that the costs of administering licensing was greater than the income taken in fees from those applying – prompting a review that is to be the subject of public consultation.

Now senior members of the SNP group are to put a motion before the meeting of all councillors this week proposing that as the review could “increase license fees substantially” then councillors should also agree to review staffing structures and processes used in the provision of licenses by Moray Council.

In the motion by Councillor Graham Leadbitter and Councillor Sonya Warren, it is proposed that: “Such a review should include the core service provided by Legal Services, the role of the Council’s customer service teams in both the call centre and access points in relation to the licensing service.”

They add that licensing work undertaken by Environmental Health should also be included in a review, as should that of Trading Standards, Fleet Services and IT Solutions or all and any other areas of work by the Corporate Management Team that is considered relevant.

The Motion concludes: “Council instructs the Corporate Management Team to conduct such a review and report back to the Council in January 2018 with appropriate recommendations – including public consultation with licence holders where they may be relevant.”