Inquiry Reporters Unit: Review of the Year 2000-2001
Foreword by Lewis Macdonald MSP
Deputy Minister for Transport and Planning
I am very pleased to present the fifth annual report of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit, covering the business year 2000-2001.
The performance figures contained in the report show that the unit has once again achieved or exceeded the targets that were set, even though all of these targets were more stringent than those for the preceding year. A customer satisfaction survey carried out by the unit last summer, described in detail in this report, has shown that most of the appellants, agents, planning authorities, and members of the public who have dealings with the unit are satisfied or very satisfied with the way that the appeal procedures are operated by the unit. I believe that the work of the Reporters is well respected, and that their decisions and recommendations make an important contribution to guiding development, safeguarding amenity and the environment, and promoting sustainable transport in Scotland. The work attracts a very low level of complaint and successful legal challenge. Thus the unit's 3 key objectives of efficiency, quality, and fairness, have all been achieved. I take great pleasure from this, given the importance, complexity, and volume of the work that the unit handles.
Major challenges lie ahead, which will stretch the unit's capabilities, but I hope that all those involved will continue to deliver excellent results.
Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit
2 Greenside Lane
Edinburgh EH1 3AG
Tel : 0131 244 5649
Fax : 0131 244 5680
E mail : seiru@scotland.gov.uk
Chief Reporter : R M Hickman MA BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI
October 2001