POS Position Statement on Members & Planning; updated 16 July 2009

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Position Statement

MEMBERS AND PLANNING

Planning is a complex area for anyone to engage in.   Elected Members have an essential role to play in delivering a planning system that, if engaged with effectively, can deliver both the needs of the current and future communities in their area.

Members need to engage in the plan making process and in the implementation of policies through the development control process.   To be competent in these activities, Members need a sound understanding of the spatial planning system and process.   The competencies for elected members are a combination of personal qualities, developed skills and acquired knowledge.

What should Members do?

Ø        All Members should receive a programme of regular training.

Ø        Membership of development control committee should be predicated by an appropriate level of training.   Some authorities make such a programme of training mandatory.

Ø        A planning member needs to consider developing around nine key skills:-

·     community leadership

·     regulating and monitoring

·     scrutiny and challenge

·     communications skills

·     working in partnership

·     political understanding

·     providing vision

·     managing performance

·     excellence in leadership

The last three skills are particularly relevant for Cabinet Members.   Whilst the Cabinet spokesmen/portfolio holder for planning should be on the Development Control Committee, there should be a separate chair of that committee.

There are a variety of means by which Members can address these needs.

·           The PAS provide training opportunities both through its leadership academy and through guides dealing with such matters as probity and pre-application discussion.   Visit www.pas.gov.uk .

·           The National Planning Forum good practice note No 2 12/04 “Pre application discussions”: http://www.natplanforum.org.uk/Good_Practice/NPF_2_F322_pre-app_advice_Layout_1.pdf

·           Planning simplified (for Councillors) LGIU 2004.

·           Probity in Planning LGA 2002.

·           The web pages of DCLG also give access to a wide range of general and specific advice and the Planning Portal is an excellent source of information for non-professionals: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk

Members and Officers

Members must remember that they are an integral part of the Local Planning Authority and should seek to capture and work with the professional officers within their authority.   Integrity, honesty and transparency are fundamental in the planning system and the public demands that high standards are maintained by all involved in it.

 Any Comments? Contact communications@planningofficers.org.uk

Revision posted: 16th July 2009

Udated information now available:

Standards Board for England Occasional Paper August 2007 "Predisposition, Predetermination or Bias and the Code": http://www.standardsboard.gov.uk/Publications/OccasionalPaper/filedownload,16105,en.pdf

London Councils, "Connecting Councillors with Strategic Planning Applications", November 2007: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/Transport/Publications/connectingcouncillorswithstrategicplanningapplicationsgoodpracticeguideforlondon.htm

POS "Councillor Involvement in Pre-Application Discussions", Development Management Practice Project Guidance Note 3, 2007: click here

LGA "probity in planning:the role of councillorsand officers - revised guidance note on good planning practice for councillors and officers dealing with planning matters", prepared by POS for LGA May 2009: click here

SEEDA "Rules of Engagement - working together for effective delivery", July 2009: http://www.southeastexcellence.co.uk/media/resources/Rules_of_Engagement_-_Working_together_for_effective_delivery_July_2009.pdf