Skip to main content

When will the recommendations of the recent report into the internal workings of the Planning and Environment Department be implemented

This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.

Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.

1240/5(5940)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT BY DEPUTY R.G. LE HÉRISSIER OF ST. SAVIOUR

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 18th JANUARY 2011

Question

When does the Minister intend to implement the recommendations of the recent report into the internal workings of the Planning and Environment Department?

Answer

I thank Deputy Le Herissier for raising this issue.

The report's recommendations are divided into two types.

The first details operational improvements. Three of the key recommendations relate to increasing the amount and type of development that does not require planning permission, improving the IT systems in planning and reviewing and simplifying the fee structure. I propose to commence work on these immediately and will expect the first implementation by the end of March 2011.

The second section deals with recommendations for change in the mechanisms of determination. In this area I am concerned that we need to fully respect the very special nature of the expectations of Islanders in respect of the determination of planning applications. Furthermore Islanders have a justifiable expectation to have direct access to the Minister who is after all responsible for all decisions emerging from the Department. I believe that a wider group of politicians needs to examine the report's recommendations in this area and determine the best method of change. Consequently I have decided to establish a small group of politicians to consider the reports recommendations in this area and work will begin in the next few weeks. I will not take a personal role in the group as it will be making recommendations about my role. It will be chaired by the Assistant Minister for Planning and Environment who will be pleased to receive expressions of interest from Members who would like to play a role in participating.