Local Government and Communities Committee, 11 Jun 2008

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Official Report 240KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Strategic Development Planning Authority Designation (No 1) (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/195)<br />Strategic Development Planning Authority Designation (No 2) (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/196)

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Strategic Development Planning Authority Designation (No 3) (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/197)<br />Strategic Development Planning Authority Designation (No 4) (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/198)

Under the final agenda item, the committee must consider four negative instruments. No concerns have been raised on the instruments and no motion to annul any of the instruments has been lodged.

Concerns have been raised in my local authority area about the matter that the instruments concern. I believe that Jeremy Purvis has seen some of the consultation responses and has said that there a number of concerns in the Borders as well.

I understand that committees do not usually hear from a minister when considering negative instruments of this sort, but, given the points that have been highlighted to me, I think that it would be useful, if it were at all possible, given our work programme, to invite the minister to next week's meeting.

The concerns that have been raised relate to the powers that the constituent authorities have to reject any components that they are uncomfortable with or which they feel will disadvantage their area. If an authority feels that something is not in the best interests of their area, what weight is given to its view? Are the authorities equal partners, or will the regional body—for example, Edinburgh, in the case of Fife and the Borders—have a greater say?

There are a number of such questions, and I think that it would be helpful for the committee to have an opportunity to discuss them with the minister.

I have no difficulty with continuing this item for another week. I think that it is important for Jim Tolson to have a chance to ask questions of a minister or a senior official on the matters that he has mentioned.

I concur. Similar points to the ones that Jim Tolson raised have been raised with me by other members. I would welcome an opportunity for some clarification.

I think that we have consensus on the view that we should invite the minister or senior officials to discuss the matter with us.

Given that the issue has always been highly contentious and that there was a huge amount of discussion of it ahead of the passage of the relevant planning legislation, I believe that the responsibility lies with the minister.

I would prefer to hear from the minister—

We will take that on board, but one week's notice is extremely short. I am sure that the minister will co-operate with us if he is available. If he is not, I suggest that we hear from senior officials. Do members agree with that approach?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes our business.

Meeting closed at 11:49.