Planning authorities are responsible for three main elements of the planning system - preparing development plans that set out the vision for the future development of an area, deciding on applications for planning permission and other related consents, and taking enforcement action against development that hasn't been approved. There are 34 planning authorities in Scotland - the 32 councils and 2 national park authorities. Professional planners (members of the Royal Town Planning Institute) form the majority of staff in the planning service of these authorities.
A wide range of technical and generic skills and competencies are required in planning services to ensure a good quality service is delivered to customers and that decision making on the future development of an area results in the desired outcomes.
The Planning Development Programme is one outcome of the modernisation of the planning system which is being promoted by the Scottish Government in partnership with stakeholders in the system. Modernisation is necessary because the planning system has not been serving its purpose well enough. The modernisation agenda is substantial, and its implementation is expected to place strains on the system and those working within it. Information on the statutory planning system in Scotland and the modernisation proposals are available on the website of the Scottish Government.
During the development of the modernisation proposals, a skills shortage in planning authorities was identified as one issue needing to be addressed. The Planning Development Programme was created in 2006 to help authorities to address their training and development needs.
A Stakeholder Group for the Programme was established in 2006 as a forum for discussion of ideas, delivery options and priorities. The Group provides the opportunity for the various interests to debate the direction of the Programme and the development of projects within it. Organisations that are currently represented on the group are planning authorities, the RTPI, Planning Aid for Scotland, COSLA, SNH, SEPA, Historic Scotland, A+DS, the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, Homes for Scotland, the development industry and the planning schools.
The Scottish Planning Authority Skills Assessment was commissioned by the Improvement Service in 2006 to look at the skills required to deliver planning services and the current availability of those skills in authorities. It also looked at training and development opportunities, barriers and preferences.
The first phase of the Planning Development Programme ran from April 2006 - March 2008. The second phase ran from April 2008 - March 2011. An evaluation of the Programme was carried out in late 2007. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess impact the Programme is having in planning authorities and to consider the value for participants of the learning opportunities being offered and the value for the authorities of the investment in skills and knowledge development.
