Raising Status: Chief Planning Officers » Housing » 24dash.com

Leading planning and housing charity, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) today welcomed the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committees advice to Government to reconsider its rejection of Kate Barkers recommendation to raise the status of planning within local government by making the Chief Planning Officer a statutorily protected senior local government official.

In the TCPAs written submission to the CLG committee, in support of the creation of a statutory chief planner, the Association stated:
The TCPA believes that statutory recognition should be given to a senior officer with responsibility within a local authority for the planning function. This was recommended in our 2005 report Putting Planning First. The TCPA believes that this enhanced status would be a positive contribution to increasing skills capacity.

A small number of key chief officers of local authorities (such as for education and social services) enjoy statutory recognition. The rationale for such statutory establishments of senior positions accountable in planning policy and service delivery areas should be extended to planning departments. It will also raise the profile of planning and strengthen its legitimacy as an accountable decision-making function within local government.

The role of a planning officer includes the creation and removal of millions of pounds of land value by the stroke of a pen, and the awesome responsibility for delivery of sustainable developmentThis Inquiry offers an important opportunity to ensure the commitment to delivering integrated, positive planning at the highest level.

The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee report Planning Matters labour shortages and skills gaps, the eleventh report of session 2007-2008, is published today, 24th July 2008.