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Executive Summary
1. The consultation on Strategic Development Planning Authorities: Designation Orders and Statutory Guidance was launched in July 2007 and responses were to be received by 29 th October 2007.
2. The consultation attracted 112 responses of which 25 were from planning authorities, national park authorities and joint structure plan teams, 8 from businesses and developers, 7 from planning and related professionals, 7 from national and regional agencies, 3 from environment and heritage groups, 9 from community councils, 52 from individuals and 1 other.
3. Of those responses received 57 were from people or bodies in the Scottish Borders, the large majority of whom opposed the inclusion of the Borders in the Edinburgh City Region. These respondents rejected the idea that the Borders be included in the Edinburgh city region as they felt the Scottish Borders is a unique area which is primarily rural in nature and needs planning by and on behalf of those who live and work in the area. It was also felt that the Borders would become an overspill for Edinburgh. A number of these respondents felt that the Borders would be forced into decisions which they were opposed to by the other members of the Strategic Development Planning Authorities ( SDPA). However, the responses received from Scottish Borders Council and Gavinton Fogo & Polworth Community Council were supportive of the proposals made in the consultation paper.
4. There were a few requests from those who were not to be included in any of the proposed city regions to be added in. One of those requests was from Shetland Islands Council, who would like to be considered in any strategic planning for the Aberdeen City Region as this is their main access point to the mainland. Also, North Ayrshire Council would like to be included in the Glasgow City Region and the members of Helensburgh Community Council would also like the Helensburgh area to be included in the Glasgow City Region.
5. There was support for the make-up of the joint committees. Some respondents felt that SDPAs made up of fewer authorities should have more members per authority, for example the Aberdeen joint committee could have 3 or 4 councillors from each local authority. Some also felt that the councillor membership should be representative of the area of the local authority that is included.
6. A number of the respondents suggested that SDPA boundaries should be closely aligned to those in relation to transport, waste and economic regions.
7. The views of the respondents in relation to funding was split over a number of options. There was fairly even support for equal contributions or contributions based on either population or area covered by SDPA. A number of respondents felt the Scottish Government should provide extra funding to the member councils as they will have additional costs that other councils will not have.
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