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There was submitted an update report by the Strategic Development Plan Manager relative to the status of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) Examination, the Review of Planning in Scotland, the 2015/16 Planning Performance Framework which had been submitted to the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service prior to the 29 July 2016 deadline and the lease of the Clydeplan premises.
The report intimated that the Scottish Ministers had appointed Mr David Liddell BA (Hons) MRTPI on 15 June 2016 to carry out the examination of the Proposed SDP. On 1 July 2016 the Reporter concluded his examination of conformity with the Clydeplan’s Participation Statement with the examination formally commencing on 14 July 2016. However, on 15 July 2016 Clydeplan were advised that due to other casework the Reporter appointed to undertake the Examination anticipated that it would be late August before he was in a position to commence examination of the Plan. On 4 August 2016 the Directorate of Environmental and Planning Appeals (DEPA) advised that an additional Reporter Michael Cunliffe BSc (Hons) MSc MCIWEM had been appointed to assist with the examination. An estimate of costs for the examination was requested from the DEPA and the Reporter had indicated an initial estimate of 90 days Reporters work and five days admin work at 50% of Local Development Plan cost rates. This cost could be met from Clydeplan’s current earmarked balances.
The report advised that the current lease of the Clydeplan premises expired on 16 October 2016 and the SDP Manager in conjunction with Renfrewshire Council’s Property Services had been examining options. At this time there was no suitable alternative option which would be available in time for the current lease end, hence there was a need to continue with the current lease. In the context of the ongoing review of the planning system in Scotland, and to allow flexibility should Scottish Futures Trust or any other public body identify a future suitable public sector relocation option in Glasgow, a three year term on the existing terms with a tenant only break option was considered to be the most suitable arrangement. This allowed the proposed extended lease to be terminated without penalty one year after the date of the commencement of the lease extension period, rather than remaining under lease for the full three years.
In September 2015, an independent panel was appointed by Scottish Ministers to review the Scottish planning system and the report of the panel “Empowering Planning to Deliver Great Places” was published on 31 May 2016. The report detailed the main recommendations of the panel’s report and summarised the Scottish Government response which was published on 11 July 2016. The intention was that the Scottish Government would consult fully on a White Paper in Autumn/Winter 2016 to enable a Planning Bill to be brought forward in 2017. The four SDP Managers had made early contact with the Scottish Government with regard to working closely with them during consideration of the review recommendations and had attended a joint working session with the Scottish Government in attendance to consider in detail the potential implications and issues arising from the review recommendations. The SDP Manager had written to the Minister for Local Government and Housing in this context. The Vice-Chair proposed that the Local Authorities should also consider writing to the Scottish Government to support the position of the SDP Manager. This was agreed.
The report highlighted that Clydeplan had been invited to participate in workshops on Development Planning and Housing on the 12 and 13 of September 2016. It was proposed that following the workshops the Strategic Development Plan Manager issue a briefing to all Joint Committee members regarding the outcome of the meetings. This was agreed.
DECIDED:
(a) That the update on the SDP Examination and the submission of the 2015/16 Planning Performance Framework be noted;
(b) That it be agreed that in the context of the review of the planning system and the recognition of the importance of city regions to the Scottish economy that the SDP Manager continue to make the case for the retention of the SDP in the Development Plan system in Scotland;
(c) That it be agreed to extend the lease of the Clydeplan offices for a period of three years with a break option at year one and to request that Renfrewshire Council finalise the lease negotiations;
(d) That it be agreed that Local Authorities should consider writing to the Scottish Government to support the position of the SDP Manager; and
(e) That it be agreed that the SDP Manager would issue a briefing to all Joint Committee meeting regarding the outcome of the Development Planning and Housing workshops.