Don’t freeze reform: NILGA
NILGA planning spokesman Jim Dillon has called for continuous progress on the transfer of planning powers.
“We have two years until the elections to shadow councils. We cannot stand frozen in time,” NILGA planning spokesman Jim Dillon has stated. “A frozen system is bad for us, bad for our citizens and bad for our economy. Let’s thaw it out and get moving.”
The Lisburn Ulster Unionist councillor was speaking at an agendaNi seminar on planning. Councillors were initially “deeply sceptical” about taking on planning policy, which had historically been “an extremely contentious issue”. As advocates for constituents, councillors “have had it relatively easy over the years when they could blame the planners for refusals”.
A dramatic shift in opinion took place during the Review of Public Administration process, and most councils and councillors were now “extremely keen to take on a new planning role.” Dillon called for legislation on a ‘power of well-being’ to be brought forward and ultimately wanted to see a ‘general power of competence’.
Under DoE proposals, the power of well-being would enable councils to take any action that is not already the responsibility of another agency to improve the well-being of the local community or local area. The general power of competence, as proposed by the Conservatives in England, allows councils to do anything that an individual person can do, unless specifically prohibited by law.
“We also know that to overcome the scepticism and fear from the past, we need to ensure that a transparent, accountable system is put in place,” he added, “with a strong system of ethics and an agreed code of conduct, so that we can all move forward together in confidence.”
As agendaNi has reported (issue 53, pages 14-15), Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with no binding code of conduct for councillors. All other political representatives in the province can be penalised for breaking their codes.
Dillon also warned that the timescale for reform could prove to be “very short” and the planning system “must be fit for purpose and operating efficiently before it comes across to us.” He saw a fine line between ensuring efficiency and “perceived asset-stripping”.
Local government and the DoE needed to begin discussions on finance and human resources as soon as possible, to ensure a satisfactory business plan and model. This process would involve a joint implementation plan, with a clear timetable and milestones, agreed between NILGA, the Society of Local Government Chief Executives (SOLACE) and DoE planning officials.
Piloting a code of conduct and a guide to planning ethics should enable all 11 proposed council areas to tackle key planning issues “consistently.” He emphasised: “No area should be accelerated unless the other areas also come up to speed as well.”
Dillon, a farmer, added: “As a businessman, I would not take over a new business without being able to have a look at the books, and this is exactly what we need to begin to do with the planning function.”
Councillors were also frustrated with the current status of Northern Ireland’s area plans. Only two area plans have been adopted since 2005: Ards and Down in March 2009 and Magherafelt in 2011. Most area plans date from the 1980s and 1990s. Dillon looked forward to “a new suite of 11 contemporary, dynamic area plans” and viewed this as a “must do” not a “would like to have”.
