Member

The amendment would ensure that the individual assuming the designated chief planner role has proper qualifications and proper experience. As the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, mentioned, it follows the success of the arrangement in Scotland, where, alongside having a chief planning officer—a chief planner—there is guidance on the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, skills and experience required for the status of that postholder as a chief officer. That guidance feeds into job descriptions for the post in Scottish authorities, emphasising the significance of the position of the head of their planning services, who reports—this is important—directly to the local authority’s chief executive. Councils may decide to combine this chief officer role with other duties—for example, as deputy chief executive—but, whether the job stands alone or is part of a wider brief, it will be vital that one fully qualified person holds the position of chief planner in taking on the significant new delegation duties that will be introduced by the Government, which we will discuss with the next group of amendments. I am very pleased to support Amendment 162.