FOREWORD
2006 has been a watershed year for Planning in Scotland. This was the year in which all the consultation, engagement, policy development and debate has culminated in a Parliamentary process which lays the foundation for years to come. As has been said many times already, the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 represents the most dramatic and radical overhaul of the Scottish Planning system since its inception in 1947. A statutory National Planning Framework, a revitalised approach to development planning, that embraces the ambitions of sustainable development, a new hierarchy of planning and a raft of measures to ensure that planning decisions are taken with local people's interests taken fully into account - these are all elements of a bold and challenging programme of modernisation which will put planning at the heart of Scotland's to deliver sustainable economic growth and development.
As we proceed to implement the reforms on a number of fronts, there are three key messages that we need to remember. First, that the whole purpose of these planning reforms is to improve the quality of outcomes. The best processes in the world are worthless unless they are used in a way that delivers what we really need; sustainable economic growth; preservation and enhancement of our built and natural heritage; good quality, well serviced, affordable housing; the infrastructure required to deal with our waste as cleanly as possible and to provide safe efficient and sustainable modes of transport. Our modernisation measures should help to unlock planning's potential.
Second, one of the critical lessons of the past few years is that proposals are inevitably improved where there has been extensive engagement and consultation with all those with an interest. The Communities Committee commended the Executive on the range and extent of its engagement with all stakeholders as the modernisation proposals were developed; it has been hard work, but the broad consensus behind much of the package reflects the value of that engagement. This is, of course, a central feature of our vision for the modernised planning system itself - early consultation and discussion is the key to success.
And finally, the need to recognise that the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act is just one part of a wider process of reform. It will take a great deal of effort to turn the ambitions of the Act into reality. The challenge extends across institutional boundaries, and requires the commitment of the Executive, planning authorities, communities, developers, business and the public at large. We should not be daunted by the task ahead. Instead we should celebrate the success of the process so far, and treat it as the platform for achieving the ultimate aim - getting planning to be a proactive force for positive and sustainable change.
Further information on the subjects covered in this issue, as well as an electronic version of the bulletin, are available at our website:www.scotland.gov.uk/planning
| Rhona Brankin MSP for Midlothian, was appointed Communities Minister in January 2007, having been the Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister. Ms Brankin has also held the posts of Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport and Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care. Before entering the Scottish Parliament she was a lecturer in education and a teacher. | 
Rhona Brankin MSP Minister for
Communities |
| Des McNulty MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, was appointed Deputy Minister for Communities in November 2006. He has previously been Deputy Minister for Social Justice. Mr McNulty was born in Stockport, and graduated from both York and Glasgow Universities. Prior to becoming an MSP, he was the head of Strategic Planning at Glasgow Caledonian University. | 
Des McNulty MSP
Deputy Minister
for Communities |