‘Don’t blame the planners, it is the whole set-up’

By Gemma Hockey

POLITICAL pettiness and a lack of communication between key departments are responsible for Guernsey’s inadequate planning system, a report has found.

Consultant Chris Shepley’s review of the planning service recommends that government attitudes and mechanisms change now and planning gets its own minister.

‘While there are clearly important problems of process and resources to be addressed within the planning division, many of the issues raised go beyond into the way the States as a whole organises and approaches its operations,’ he said.

Policy-setting problems from which planning suffered, he said, stemmed from the relationship between Commerce and Employment and Environment.

‘The problem is not confined to them. Two of the 10 departments were described by one person as “tribes”, both at political and official level,’ said Mr Shepley.

He praised the pending land for industry project produced by the planning officers.

It was delayed after Environment sought more information about such sites although Commerce and Employment said the need had already been established.

Mr Shepley said this is a political problem with no effective mechanism for resolving the dispute.

‘The Strategic Land Planning Group has a locus to do so, but has so far failed.

‘The planners are caught in limbo between their masters the Environment Department and another department.’

He said the SLPG was an important part of the Government Business Plan.

He referred to the ‘unpredictability of decision making’ and a ‘blame culture’.

‘It is a key obstacle to change and unless it is addressed it will be hard for the division to escape from its current difficulties.’

There are 10 planning officers including three trainees and one temporary agency planner – one fewer than two years ago – while the departure of the chief planning officer has placed added pressure on senior staff.

The report, which takes 12 points and outlines relevant recommendations, recognises that service standards are constrained by workload.

‘Resource constraints mean the public are not getting the service they should,’ he said.

Mr Shepley said the new law to be introduced later this year, along with the proposed introduction of fees, should reduce the workload.

‘It is clear that the time currently being taken to deal with applications is not acceptable.’

Mr Shepley said giving planning officers housing licences for longer than five years should be considered.