PLANNING Bulletin: Issue No 22 December 2003
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE INFORMATION New Permanent Secretary In July John Elvidge became the top civil servant in Scotland, taking over from Muir Russell. Mr Elvidge was previously the Head of the Executive's Finance and Central Services Division (FCSD). |
On appointment, the new Permanent Secretary described his personal vision of a Scottish Executive "which stands at the centre of Scottish life, widely trusted, by earning a reputation for openness, helpfulness, expertise and effectiveness. By looking outward, working with our partners who provide services and those who want services, we can do more to fill that central position and deliver the good government and services that meet all of our aspirations".
Partnership Agreement
The Executive is a coalition government based on a partnership agreement. That agreement, 'A Partnership for a Better Scotland', was signed after the May 2003 elections and sets out a vision for Scotland in terms of the policies to be implemented.
The document includes principles which will guide the partnership and direct government. It contains high level commitments and details actions that will support the delivery of these. For planning a high level commitment has been made to regenerate communities and secure a decent environment through reforming our planning laws. It states the Executive will improve the planning system to strengthen involvement of communities, speed up decisions, reflect local views better, and allow quicker investment decisions.
The agreement represents the determination the two partners have to work together to provide innovative government. It also refers to consultation on wider rights of appeal and the National Planning Framework, amongst other things, as ways of achieving this. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs
Communities Committee
The committee system is an important part of the structure of the Scottish Parliament. In total there are 16 mandatory and subject committees which scrutinise the work and the policies of the Scottish Executive.
It is the Communities Committee's remit to consider and report on matters that fall within the responsibility of the Minister for Communities, which includes the land use planning system. The Committee consists of a convenor and 8 member MSPs from a balance of political parties.
The Committee conducts inquiries and considers policy, petitions and legislation. Legislation is a central component of all the Committees' work and both primary (Bills) and subordinate legislation (Statutory Instruments and draft instruments) come before them. Their consideration involves taking evidence and consulting, or gathering views. It will therefore be the Communities Committee which considers the forthcoming Planning Bill. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/communities