Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
Newly-elected councillors on the Derry City and Strabane District Council have begun training in preparation for the transfer next year of planning functions.
They, along with councillors from the other newly-elected councils, are attending the programme to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively carry out planning functions.
Planning functions transfer from central government to local councils in April next year.
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said the training events would help ensure decision makers have the confidence, as well as the competence, to make prompt, sound planning decisions from day one.
He added: “They are a result of ongoing significant efforts to ensure that councillors, council staff and planning staff receive the necessary training to ensure that those with responsibility for delivering the new system have the capacity to make it the best it can be.
“The reform of local government will ultimately deliver local councils which are more effective, more efficient and more responsive to the needs of their local businesses and community.”
A number of training sessions will take place between now and January.
They will be delivered in council venues in six locations, with morning or evening events and the sessions planned will cover an overview of planning for councillors; development plans and working with the community; practical planning and propriety and outcomes.
The training will be facilitated and delivered by senior planning staff, but will also include representatives who have experience of similar planning systems in other jurisdictions.
The training will help prepare those attending to understand the new planning system, the processes involved in making planning decisions and the need to comply with ethical standards.
Tags:
