Agenda Pack
North Lanarkshire Council · 28 June 2023
Back to Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee — 28 June 2023 and its agenda
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22/06/2023 Notice of Special Meeting and Agenda Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee. Date Time Venue Wednesday, 28 June 2023 09:00 Remotely by MS teams, Membership Councillor Jim Gibbons and Councillor Alan Moir (East Dunbartonshire Council); Councillor Paul Edlin and Councillor Colm Merrick (East Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Kenny McLean and Councillor Ken Andrew (Glasgow City Council); Councillor Chris Curley and Councillor David Wilson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Tom Fisher and Councillor Allan Stubbs (North Lanarkshire Council); Councillor John McNaughtan and Councillor Jim Paterson (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Richard Nelson and Councillor Robert Brown (South Lanarkshire Council); and Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (West Dunbartonshire Council). Councillor Lawrence O’Neill (Convener); Councillor David Wilson (Vice-Convener). Further Information - online meetings only This meeting is on-line only but is a meeting which is open to members of the public by prior arrangement. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk MARK CONAGHAN Clerk Page 1 of 28
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22/06/2023 Members of the Press and Public - contact details Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should contact democratic- services@renfrewshire.gov.uk to allow the necessary arrangements to be made. Page 2 of 28
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22/06/2023 Items of business Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest. 1 Glasgow and The Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee - Towards a Regional Spatial Strategy Report by Clydeplan Steering Group. 5 - 28 Page 3 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority To: Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee On: 28th June 2023 Report by The Clydeplan Steering Group Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee – Towards a Regional Spatial Strategy 1. Introduction 1.1 This report seeks to update members following the meeting of the Joint Committee on 12th June 2023 and seeks to consider the management and governance arrangements for the duty to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The report outlines potential options and seeks the view of Joint Committee on the preferred model for implementation. 1.2 In addition, the report also considers the potential cessation of the Joint Committee due to the recent changes in planning legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament. 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that the Joint Committee: a) consider the content of this report; b) notes the cessation of strategic development plans; and c) considers the options detailed within the report and advises officers of Joint Committee’s preferred option for considering regional spatial planning issues going forward. Item 1 Page 5 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 3. Background and Context 3.1 The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 has resulted in significant changes to the planning system in Scotland. The Act, together with the adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF), removes strategic development plans from the statutory development plan. 3.2 The Act introduced a new duty which requires one or more local authorities to prepare a regional spatial strategy (RSS). The RSS is a long-term spatial strategy for the strategic development of an area which enables planning authorities to work together with others within a defined area to guide future long-term use of land. 3.3 Elements for consideration that will inform the content of an RSS for the region will be informed by forthcoming Scottish Government guidance. 3.4 Unlike the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan, the RSS will not form part of the statutory development which now comprises NPF as well as the local development plans prepared by each individual local authority. 3.5 There is no prescription in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 on how local authorities discharge the duty to prepare an RSS and it is open for local authorities to consider their preferred model. The RSS will not be a statutory document and it is not clear what, if any, role a regional body (like the Joint Committee) would have in approving its content. Guidance on the preparation of RSSs is pending, however the Scottish Government are yet to confirm a timescale for this. 3.6 Given the changes, the role and remit for which the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee (Joint Committee) as originally established will significantly change. Appendix 1 to this report contains the current Memorandum of Understanding from 2013. 3.7 In advance of the change in legislation coming into effect and the publication of NPF, the Joint Committee at its meeting on 8th March 2021 considered a report entitled “Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee – Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 – Duty to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy”, and agreed: a) To recommend to all eight authorities that they continue to work jointly to discharge their duty under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to prepare an RSS; b) That as an alternative to the continued use of a joint committee model, a governance approach involving the development and oversight of the RSS being set within Glasgow City Region be considered; c) To request that Glasgow City Region give consideration as to how option 3 could be implemented and to set out the steps to deliver this, along with the associated timescale; d) To note that options 3 and 4 would see the Joint Committee dissolved and staff transferred to Glasgow City Council as host authority; and Page 6 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL e) To note that further reports would be brought to future meetings on the Joint Committee in this regard. 3.8 For clarity, option 3 and 4 (as referred to in the March 2021 decision by Joint Committee) can be summarised as: Option 3: oversight and development the RSS by a new political collaborative within the city region’s governance structure. This collaborative would recommend the draft RSS to the City Region Cabinet for approval. Glasgow City Council would take on the role of host authority. Option 4: oversight of the development of the RSS and its approval by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, with Glasgow City Council acting as the host authority. Since the March 2021 Joint Committee, discussions have continued at the Clydeplan Steering Group (informed by the views of elected members at each authority) as officers have awaited confirmation of the NPF4 position. In addition, both the Clydeplan Manager and Assistant Manager have now retired leaving both posts currently vacant. 3.9 A March 2023 report to the Joint Committee (“Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 - Adoption of National Planning Framework 4”) was accompanied by a joint letter from the Planning Minister and Chief Planner for Scotland (dated 8 Feb 2023). This letter makes clear that from February 2023 LDPs no longer have to be consistent with the Strategic Development Plan. Instead, there will be a new requirement for LDPs to take NPF4 into account in terms of their content. Adopted LDPs and their site allocations are unaffected. 3.10 In light of the above, it was therefore agreed at the meeting of the Joint Committee on 13th March 2023 that a report would be prepared for the next available Joint Committee meeting to explore options for new management and governance arrangements in relation to ongoing strategic planning in the Clydeplan area, the cessation of Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan and the duty to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). Proposed Options 3.11 A series of options were detailed in the report entitled “Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee – Towards a Regional Spatial Strategy” which was considered at the meeting of the Joint Committee on 12th June 2023. The options outlined a proposed way forward in respect of the preparation and governance of the forthcoming RSS. The options outlined overlapped in some respect with those presented to the Joint Committee in March 2021. 3.12 The options proposed are detailed in Appendix 2. 3.13 In considering the report at the meeting of the Joint Committee on 12th June 2023, an alternative option was proposed by the Convenor and as such it was agreed to continue the item for consideration at a special meeting of the Joint Committee. The alternative option as proposed by the Convenor, seeks to Page 7 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL amend Option 1 and is also detailed in Appendix 2 (as Option 1b) for consideration by members. It should be noted that any views expressed by the Joint Committee (on a preferred option) would not negate the requirement for any decision on a proposed way forward to be agreed by all eight individual local authorities, via their own governance arrangements. 3.14 In all options, analysis would be undertaken to estimate the level of resource required to prepare, process and monitor an RSS going forward. This would be reflected in decisions in terms of existing and future officer posts who at present remain Renfrewshire Council employees. 4. Staffing / Funding 4.1 For options 1, 2 and 3, future funding would need to be considered. Currently all authorities contribute the same set amount per annum (by requisition payment to Renfrewshire) towards the staffing and administration of Clydeplan. In Option 2 Renfrewshire Council would be faced with significant financial implications as the current staff complement are their employees. 4.2 In terms of the Clydeplan team resource there are currently 7.3 FTE posts associated with the team. Following the departure of the Clydeplan Manager and Assistant Manager in recent months, 3 of these FTE positions are currently vacant. 4.3 There are 2 x 0.5 FTE Planning Analysts posts (job share) and 1.4 administrative posts as part of that team. 4.4 There are also 3.6 FTEs in the GCR Green Network team which are also under the same line management as the Clydeplan team. One of these posts is a two-year position funded by Clydeplan reserves (Development Officer) and another is a Peatland Officer post funded by NatureScot for two years. 4.5 Depending which of the above options is agreed by the Joint Committee, the option would need to assess likely staff resource requirements (based on an agreed workplan) and how this would be funded by the local authorities. This is likely to be less than the existing staff quota, pending a review. 5. Conclusions and Next Steps 5.1 The eight local authorities of Glasgow City Region have a long standing and successful track record of joint working on regional planning matters. As Scotland’s only metropolitan area this joint working will continue to be important if the city region is to maximise its economic, social and environmental potential. 5.2 Joint Committee should note that individual Council’s will require to report the disbandment of Joint Committee to their respective committees or meetings of Council for a decision. Page 8 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 5.3 The increasing recognition of the importance of city regions to the future wellbeing of Scotland has seen the emergence of associated governance structures. 5.4 Embedding the development and oversight of the RSS within those structures would allow for greater integration in strategy alignment in particular with the Regional Economic Strategy. In addition, this would allow for resource and governance efficiencies, staff retention and importantly retaining elected member oversight. Taking this into account, the Steering Group’s majority officer view is that Option 1 should be progressed. 5.5 From the above, it is the Clydeplan Steering Group’s recommendation that members of the Joint Committee requests that Glasgow City Region consider how this option can be implemented and set out the steps to deliver this, and the associated timescale and costs. This will then be reported back to Joint Committee for decision at the next available opportunity. Page 9 of 28
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MINUTE OF AGREEMENT among East Dunbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council all incorporated by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (and all hereinafter referred to as “the Member Councils”). WHEREAS: 1. In terms of The Strategic Development Planning Authority: Designation (No. 1)(Scotland) Order 2008 (“the 2008 Order”), the Member Councils are designated a group of planning authorities which are jointly to prepare and keep under review a Strategic Development Plan for a strategic development plan area. 2. The Member Councils have agreed that the Strategic Development Planning Authority designated under the 2008 Order shall be known as “The Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority”. 3. The Member Councils have agreed to appoint a Joint Committee for the purpose of representing them in carrying out the functions conferred upon them under Sections 4 to 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 (“the Joint Committee” and “the 1997 Act” respectively) and have each passed the necessary resolution for giving effect to this Agreement. 4. The Member Councils have agreed to enter into this Agreement for their respective interests. NOW THEREFORE it is hereby agreed and declared:- 1. Interpretation 1.1 Words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and vice versa. 1.2 Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural number and vice versa. Appendix 1 - 2012 Memorandum of Understanding Page 11 of 28
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2 Definitions In this minute of agreement, the following words have the following meanings: Convener – the Convener of the Joint Committee appointed by the Joint Committee. Vice-Convener – the Vice-Convener of the Joint Committee appointed by the Joint Committee Strategic Development Plan area – comprises the administrative boundaries of the eight Member Councils, with the exception of part of West Dunbartonshire which is covered by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority. 3 Constitution of the Joint Committee Constitution 3.1 The Member Councils hereby agree that the Joint Committee shall consist of sixteen members (such members being referred to herein as “Local Authority Members”). Appointment of Members by the Member Councils 3.2.1 Each of the Member Councils shall appoint two Local Authority Members to the Joint Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Clause. 3.2.2 Each of the Member Councils shall appoint its first two Local Authority Members before or at the meeting at which approval is given to this Agreement and such Local Authority Members shall, subject as hereinafter provided, continue in office until they are re-appointed or replaced by the Member Councils. Each of the Member Councils, following an Ordinary Election, shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, appoint or re- appoint Local Authority Members to the Joint Committee who shall hold office until they are re-appointed or replaced by the Member Councils. 3.2.3 A Local Authority Member shall cease to be a member of the Joint Committee when he ceases to be a member of the Member Council which appointed him or on the appointment by that Member Council of another Local Authority Member in his place, whichever shall occur first. Page 12 of 28
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Appointment of Convener 3.3 Subject to the provisions of Clause 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 hereof, the Joint Committee shall elect biennially a Convener and Vice-Convener from its Local Authority Members both of whom shall continue in office until the first meeting of the Joint Committee which takes place after First April in the second year following their election. Casual Vacancies 3.4.1 Where a casual vacancy occurs in the case of a Local Authority Member of the Joint Committee, the Member Council which appointed the Local Authority Member shall appoint a new member. 3.4.2 Where a vacancy occurs in the case of the Vice-Convener, the Joint Committee shall appoint a new Vice-Convener at the next or subsequent meeting of the Joint Committee, who shall continue in office until the previously anticipated expiry of the outgoing Vice-Convener’s term of office. 3.4.3 When a vacancy occurs in the office of Convener, the Vice-Convener shall assume the office of Convener in succession to the previous Convener and shall continue in office until the previously anticipated expiry of the outgoing Convener’s term of office. Quorum 3.5 The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be four Local Authority Members provided that not less than four of the Member Councils are represented. Procedures 3.6 The Joint Committee shall adopt Standing Orders relating to proceedings at its meeting. Page 13 of 28
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Clerk and Treasurer 3.7.1 The Joint Committee shall from time to time invite one of the Member Councils to appoint an appropriate senior officer to act as Clerk to the Joint Committee. Similarly, the Joint Committee shall invite one of the Member Councils to appoint an appropriate senior officer to act as Treasurer to the Joint Committee. The Clerk and Treasurer shall continue in their respective offices until the relevant employing Member Council or the Joint Committee shall otherwise determine. The relevant employing Member Council’s costs arising from the duties undertaken by the Clerk and Treasurer shall be reimbursed to it by the Joint Committee as provided for in Clause 6 hereof. 3.7.2 The procedures to be established under Clause 3.6 of this Agreement shall include Standing Orders with respect to contracts made on behalf of the Joint Committee by the Clerk to the Joint Committee for the supply of goods or the provision of services. Such Standing Orders shall be the subject of consultation with and approval by the Member Councils and in line with financial regulations. Meetings 3.8 The Joint Committee shall meet not less than four times during each year. The Convener of the Joint Committee, in consultation with the after-mentioned Chair of the Steering Group, shall fix the date, time and place of meetings, subject to any previous agreement by the Joint Committee. 4. Remit of the Joint Committee 4.1 The aims and objectives of the Joint Committee shall be as follows:- (a) to prepare, monitor and keep under review the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan (referred to herein as “the Strategic Development Plan”) for the Strategic Development Plan area on behalf of the Member Councils. Page 14 of 28
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(b) to advise and make recommendations to the Member Councils on the policy content of the Strategic Development Plan, including the approval of the Strategic Development Plan by Member Councils, its submission to the Scottish Ministers, its final approval and its subsequent monitoring and review. (c) to receive reports from the Member Councils on conformity of Local Development Plans with the Strategic Development Plan. (d) to receive reports as required from Member Councils on development management matters of strategic significance. (e) to liaise with and make representations to the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and other bodies as necessary on matters of relevance to strategic development planning in the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan area. (f) to respond to and comment upon Strategic Development Plans, planning applications and other development proposals submitted to this Joint Committee by adjoining authorities. (g) to take such action as may be necessary from time to time to sustain the development strategy contained in the Strategic Development Plan and contribute to the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan area. The Joint Committee is empowered to do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to the discharge of any of the aforesaid remit. Page 15 of 28
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5. Delegation of Functions Delegation to the Joint Committee 5.1 The Member Councils hereby delegate to the Joint Committee the power to discharge the functions conferred upon the Member Councils under Sections 5 to 12 (both inclusive) of the 2006 Act. The delegation hereby granted shall not prevent any or all of the Member Councils from discharging the said functions. 6. Financial Arrangements Allocation of Expenditure 6.1 Each of the Member Councils shall pay a one-eighth share of the whole expenditure and costs incurred by the Joint Committee under this Agreement. Joint Committee Budget 6.2.1 Not later than Thirty-First December in each year the Treasurer shall, in consultation with the Strategic Development Plan Manager, prepare and submit to the Joint Committee revenue estimates for the year following from First April. The revenue estimates will include detail with regards the requisition each Member Council shall be required to contribute. In determining to approve the revenue estimates the Joint Committee shall consider any observations by Member Councils. Each of the Members Councils will pay to the Joint Committee instalments in accordance with arrangements proposed by the Treasurer and approved by the Joint Committee. 6.2.2 All monies due to the Joint Committee shall be held by the Treasurer who shall make payments as required by the Joint Committee. Accounts 6.3 The Treasurer shall prepare Accounts to the Joint Committee annually to Thirty first March and that these be submitted to the Joint Committee no later than Thirtieth September following. The accounts shall be audited in accordance with the provisions of Section 96 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and the Page 16 of 28
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Accounts shall be submitted to the Member Councils after formal submission to and approval by the Joint Committee after completion of the audit. Financial Plan 6.4 For each financial year the Treasurer will submit to the Joint Committee a financial plan setting out estimated expenditure and associated requisitions for the following three years; and the Member Councils will have regard to this plan when preparing their own financial plans. 7. Administrative Arrangements Strategic Development Plan Manager and Staff 7.1.1 The Joint Committee shall have power to appoint a Strategic Development Plan Manager and such supporting staff as is considered appropriate (the Strategic Development Plan Manager and supporting staff being referred herein as the “Core Team”). 7.1.2 The Core Team shall provide a Strategic Development Planning service as directed by the after-mentioned Steering Group. Steering Group 7.2 The Joint Committee shall be supported by a Steering Group comprising the Chief Planning Officers (or their representatives) of each of the member councils and the Strategic Development Plan Manager or his representative (referred to herein as the “Steering Group”). The Steering Group will from time to time appoint one of its members as Chair to the Steering Group (referred to herein as “the Chair”). The Steering Group will meet regularly (at least four times each year) to consider, inter alia, Strategic Development Plan Reviews, consultations and reports to be presented to the Joint Committee, and the work programme for Strategic Development Planning to be undertaken by the Core Team and within each authority. Page 17 of 28
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Secondment of Staff 7.3 The Member Councils shall use their reasonable endeavours to meet any request from the Strategic Development Plan Manager or the Joint Committee for the secondment of appropriate/relevant staff for the purpose of assisting in the preparation of the strategic development plan, its updates and review. Any such secondment shall be on such terms as may be agreed between the Member Council and the Joint Committee. Employing Authority and other Administrative Arrangements 7.4 Renfrewshire Council shall employ and provide personnel services for the Core Team and make provision for all necessary office accommodation and ancillary services, including transport and insurance. Other administrative tasks will be carried out by the Member Council whose employee for the time being has been appointed as Clerk to the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee shall pay to Renfrewshire Council the total costs reasonably incurred by Renfrewshire Council in connection with the employment of the Core Team, including costs arising from termination of employment, or termination of the Joint Committee, and including, without prejudice to the foregoing, any costs arising on redundancy or any unfair dismissal. Arrangement of Services 7.5 When considering the arrangement of services, the Joint Committee shall have regard to the capabilities of the Service Departments of the Member Councils and in the event of the Joint Committee seeking the assistance of any of the Member Councils, the Council concerned shall not unreasonably withhold such assistance. The Joint Committee shall pay appropriate fees for any such assistance given, if so required. Annual Report 7.6 The Joint Committee shall prepare each year an annual report on its work for submission to each of the Member Councils not later than thirty first March in the following financial year. Page 18 of 28
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8. Miscellaneous Commencement and Variation 8.1 This Agreement shall be deemed to have commenced and taken effect on Tenth June Two Thousand and Thirteen notwithstanding the dates hereof (“the Commencement Date”) and may be varied only by supplementary written agreement amongst all the parties. Withdrawal of a Party to the Agreement 8.2 Withdrawal may be made from the Agreement on Thirty first March in any year by any of the Member Councils serving upon the Joint Committee not less than two years notice to be served in like manner as a notice served under Section 190 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Such withdrawal shall not affect the obligation of the party or parties withdrawing to pay their share of the costs due under this Minute of Agreement, including without prejudice to the foregoing generality, their allocation of the costs of the Core Team, any seconded staff and their contributions to the budgets of the Joint Committee for the next two financial years following the date of service of Notice. Arbitration 8.3 Any dispute among the Member Councils shall be determined by an arbiter mutually agreed whom failing by an arbiter appointed by the Sheriff of North Strathclyde at Paisley on the written application of any of the parties. The decision of any such arbiter shall be final and binding on the parties. Discharge of former agreement and rights and liabilities 8.4 Whereas the Member Councils entered into a Minute of Agreement dated Nineteenth March, Twenty seventh March, Nineteenth June, Seventeenth September and Twenty fifth October all Nineteen hundred and ninety seven and Twenty sixth January, Second February, and Thirteenth March all Nineteen hundred and ninety eight relative to the carrying out of the functions of the Joint Committee appointed by them under the Designation of Structure Plan Areas (Scotland) Order 1995 (“the Old Minute of Agreement”) then, with effect from the Commencement Date, the Member Page 19 of 28
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Councils (i) discharge the Old Minute of Agreement and (ii) assume responsibility for and ratify all of the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Member Councils under the Old Minute of Agreement. The parties hereto consent to the registration hereof for preservation: IN WITNESS WHEREOF Page 20 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL APPENDIX 2 – Governance Options Option 1 - This option follows the recommendation of the March 2021 Joint Committee report. Existing Clydeplan staff resource would be reviewed in light of the new requirements for RSS preparation. Staff would be consulted on a possible TUPE transfer to Glasgow City Council. If transferred, the team would be integrated into the existing city region structures (overseen by the Regional Director) who would take responsibility for preparing an RSS and reporting this through to the GCR Cabinet for approval. This would move the duty to prepare an RSS directly into the city region governance structures. RSS Governance Host Local Authority Officer resource Pros Cons GCR Cabinet with the option to consider the establishment of a sub committee Glasgow Employed by Glasgow City Council All Clydeplan and Green Network staff would be consulted on a possible transfer (under TUPE regulations) to Glasgow City Council as the hosting authority Aligning with existing GCR resources including the Intelligence Hub and management structures offers the potential for some limited financial savings and efficiencies. This approach would bring increased efficiencies and effective engagement in terms of process and resourcing. Would better align work streams and offer opportunities for greater influence of regional partnership working. This would include closer joint working with other City Region Portfolio groupings (for example Infrastructure and Assets and Transport and Connectivity) and other strategy development (eg. the Regional Economic Strategy). Would utilise existing officer structures associated with Clydeplan namely the Steering Group, Heads of Policy and The terms of reference of Cabinet would require changing to cover spatial planning. Potential for the dilution of focus on spatial planning business due to the number of issues on Cabinet agenda, unless a sub-committee was established. Page 21 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Topic Groups to shape work programmes. Offers political scrutiny by Council Leaders via GCR Cabinet Page 22 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Option 2 - All strategic planning issues relating to individual member authorities would revert to them. It would be up to each individual authority to reach decision on whether to participate in the preparation of an RSS going forward. RSS Governance Host Local Authority Officer resource Pros Cons Individual local authorities n/a Existing officers at individual authorities Clydeplan staff would revert to being Renfrewshire Council employees, with no specific regional planning responsibilities. Would offer democratic accountability at each local authority. Potential for short term financial savings Current staff costs would be retained by Renfrewshire Council which would have significant financial implications for that authority Would undermine collaborative working between planners at a regional level. It would lose the joint working which has been such a key part of the success of Clydeplan as an approach to regional spatial planning and on collaboration on major cross border infrastructure such as City Deal projects. It is clear from NPF4 spatial strategy that cross- Council collaboration is envisaged more rather than less in the future. Loss of dedicated and specialised resources at individual Councils putting more pressure on planning authorities Page 23 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Smaller authorities unlikely to have resources to dedicate to this and therefore longer-term potential costs to resource this individually. No political scrutiny at a regional planning level No efficiencies of scale Reduced level of traction at a regional and national scale Each local authority would still have a requirement to produce an RSS individually in some form to meet the statutory duty. Could result in various forms of RSS being produced by different coalitions of authorities or by individual authorities, which may be less effective on a regional scale. Page 24 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Option 3 - Strategic planning issues to be considered by a newly formed “Spatial Planning Partnership”. This new forum would enable member discussion on cross boundary strategic planning issues and approve the production of the RSS. The Partnership would require to be established as a formally constituted body. Working requirements would need to be established including quorum requirements. It is suggested the political make-up of the new Spatial Planning Partnership would be like the existing Joint Committee with nominations for membership emanating from the 8 authorities. The new Partnership supported by an officer Steering Group and (repurposed Clydeplan) dedicated officer team. RSS Governance Host Local Authority Officer resource Pros Cons New “Spatial Planning Partnership” To be determined To be determined Would have a focused spatial planning remit which would meet as required for business Could avoid TUPE requirements / keep the employer the same if Renfrewshire Council agreed to host. No formal relationship with GCR governance, budgets and activity No current management in post. Would require some additional resource. Potential for delay / time requirements to establish this new partnership could lose momentum for work on RSS. Would require a local authority to become host authority to set this up and take responsibility. Page 25 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Option 1B (as proposed by Convenor 12th June 2023) - This option is like the recommendation of the March 2021 Joint Committee report. The Clydeplan staff team would be integrated into the existing city region Programme Management Office (overseen by the Director of Regional Economic Growth) who would take responsibility for preparing an RSS and reporting this through to the Joint Committee for approval. RSS Governance Host Local Authority Officer resource Pros Cons Joint Committee with revised Terms of Reference to reflect new duties Glasgow City Council Employed by Glasgow City Council All Clydeplan and Green Network staff would be consulted on a possible transfer (under TUPE regulations) to Glasgow City Council as the hosting authority Would allow effective management of workplan and integration with other major pieces of work including Clyde Mission and other spatial priorities. Aligning with existing GCR resources including the Intelligence Hub and management structures offers the potential for some limited financial savings and efficiencies. This approach would bring increased efficiencies and effective engagement in terms of process and resourcing. Would better align work streams and offer opportunities for greater influence of regional partnership working. This would include closer joint working with other City Region Portfolio groupings (for example Infrastructure and Assets and Transport and Connectivity) and other strategy development (eg. the Regional Economic Strategy). Would utilise existing officer structures associated with Clydeplan namely the Requires agreement on revised Terms of Reference by all authorities Page 26 of 28
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Steering Group, Heads of Policy and Topic Groups to shape work programmes. Same political scrutiny as at present. Page 27 of 28
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