PROGRESS ON DELIVERING PLANNING REFORM

The Delivering Planning Reform document issued by the Scottish Government in October 2008 set out a range of objectives and actions designed to deliver an improved planning system in Scotland. Scottish Borders Council is committed to working with Government, key agencies, the development industry and communities to deliver this improved planning system.

We have made the following progress in the Scottish Borders:

DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEMES

We have produced a Development Plan Scheme setting out the time scales for completing work on our existing Development Plan and for producing a new Local Development Plan. This includes a Participation Statement setting out our proposals for consultation and wider stakeholder engagement.

SCHEMES OF DELEGATION

A report covering the main changes set out in the Hierarchy of Developments, Development Management Procedure, and Schemes of Delegation and Local Review Procedure Regulations was approved by Council on 23rd April 2009. A copy of the report is available. This report included a scheme of delegation for determining planning applications which has now been approved by Scottish Ministers.

ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL FORUMS

Scottish Borders Council has held annual forums with Community Councils, Amenity Groups, Applicants, Agents and Developers since 2000. These have provided an opportunity for the planning service to inform stakeholders of changes to the planning system and the planning service provided in the Borders and has provided stakeholders with an opportunity to inform the service of their needs and aspirations and to make suggestions as to how our service could be improved.

A reconstituted forum, attended by 90 people, was held on 25 March 2009. The forum was appraised of forthcoming changes within the Department and progress on e-planning and e-building standards. Updates were provided on the work of the Building Standards, Development Management, and Plans and Research teams and an overview was given of Planning Reform and the Modernised Planning System.
Views received at the forum and in questionnaires returned following the event have informed the production of an Areas for Service Improvement Plan.

AREAS FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Service Improvement Issues have been identified by a series of methods including stakeholder forums and community seminars. They have been further informed by the Audit of Best Value and Community Planning. An improvement plan has now been prepared.