PAPER C2

Committee:     DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE

Date:               10 DECEMBER 2002

Title:               MEMBER TRAINING

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

BACKGROUND

Members will recall that a Development Day was held earlier in the year which highlighted the need for further work on a variety of issues. Since that time a Best Value review of the Service has commenced, and the Government has set a performance standard for the Council for 2003/04 in relation to its determination of major applications.

PROPOSED TRAINING

Two training events have been arranged as follows:-

21 January 2003

Northwood House - 9.30 - 3.30.

Update from Development Day.

Procedural matters review.

Best Value Review of the Service.

27 March 2003

Northwood House - 9.30 - 3.30.

Member training on planning matters.

Probity issues.

It is proposed that the January event be arranged specifically for Development Control Committee Members and deputies. The March event would be made available for all Members.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The cost of these events can be met from existing budgets within the control of the Planning Service.

OPTIONS

The Committee could either:-

1.        Not proceed with the training events; or

2.        Combine them into one day.

3.        The former option would not be advisable given the pressures which the Service will be facing in 2003. The latter option would make for a long training event covering too many issues in one day.

Contact Point:            Andrew Ashcroft, Head of Planning Services            ☎:4556 

M FISHER

STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE & ENVIRONMENT SERVICES