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PLANNING Bulletin: Issue No 22 December 2003

Foreword

Margaret Curran MSP
Minister for Communities

RTPI Speech

The important contribution of the planning system and the planning profession to our society, our environment and our future was emphasised in the Communities Minister's address at the RTPI conference last month. Mrs Curran highlighted how the planning profession's input to the discussion on modernising the planning system is of crucial importance in ensuring that we get things right; that we 'make a difference', the theme of this year's conference.

The Minister referred to the Planning Bill as an important milestone in delivering a modernised planning system but stressed that:

"... it is a point en route, and not the final destination. Opportunities for primary legislation do not come often, so it is important that we use the Planning Bill to help us make the changes that are really required - ones that will really make a difference to the operation of the system".

The Minister identified project delivery as one area in which planners need to make a difference stating that:

"... we are moving towards a concept of a new and enhanced role for the planning system. We are not simply concerned with making the planning process more efficient and more inclusive, although these are both important aims. We are also concerned with the actual outcomes that the planning system delivers. We must be concerned that the planning system delivers, in an effective way, high quality outcomes".

The Minister continued:

"Instead of planning being a largely reactive and regulatory activity, the new model of planning: has a stronger sense of vision and purpose... is more action orientated... is more entrepreneurial.. is more inclusive... and is more proactive in assuming the leading role in making things happen on the ground."

"Who else but the planning profession specialises in assessing competing demands for land use, negotiating with and mediating between different interests, seeking to reconcile different priorities and retaining an overall vision of what is needed to make sustainable places?"

Reflecting her commitment to the planning profession Mrs Curran proposed to commission research in the early part of next year to examine how planning services are financed. This research will look at issues of human resources, such as skills and recruitment, as well as financial resources.

The Minister highlighted other work being undertaken by the Executive including a comparative study with Bavaria on housing developments and the preparation of additional guidance on affordable housing. She also announced the Executive's intention to publish a consultation paper on widening rights of appeal in parallel with the consultation paper on development plans.

Margaret Curran is MSP for Baillieston. After the 2003 elections she was appointed Minister for Communities after having been Minister for Social Justice. Previously a lecturer in community education and an election agent, Mrs Curran graduated from Glasgow University where she studied History and Economic History. She has wide-ranging experience of local government and community education work and is particularly interested in economic and urban regeneration.

The MSP for Linlithgow, Mary Mulligan, was appointed Deputy Minister for Communities after the 2003 elections.
Mrs Mulligan was born in Liverpool and studied Economics and Social Studies at the University of Manchester. She has worked in retail management and held various posts at branch level within the Labour party since 1983. Mrs Mulligan has previously served as a Councillor in Edinburgh and as Deputy Health and Community Care Minister.

Email: Scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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