<p><span>Almost 80% of <span>local authority planning and placemaking</span> teams have struggled to attract qualified and skilled candidates, according to a survey by social enterprise Public Practice.</span></p> <p><span>The </span><i><a href="https://www.publicpractice.org.uk/resources/recruitment-skills-report-2023"></a><a href="http://www.publicpractice.org.uk/resources/recruitment-skills-report-2023">Recruitment and Skills Report,</a> </i><span>funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, </span><span>reveals that 78% of placemaking professionals in England say their council is finding it difficult to find the right candidates to fill capacity gaps in their teams. And 66% of local government place professionals believe their team lacks the skills “and “bandwith” to address their authority’s top priorities.</span></p> <p><span>Public Practice said local authorities’ typical strategic objectives included increasing opportunities for residents, reducing inequality and poverty and meeting targets to reach net zero carbon. But its survey recorded </span><span>17% of respondents stating that recruitment activities had failed to attract a suitable candidate.</span></p> <p><span>The results, Public Practice said, seemed to suggest a lack of capacity within planning teams was impacting morale and job satisfaction. According to the survey, 54% of respondents say their councils have troubles retaining staff, with 14% stating they wish to leave the public sector.</span></p> <p><span>Public sector place professionals report an average job satisfaction score of </span><span>5.66 out of ten, a drop from last year’s 6.32, …