Executive Committee
The Executive Committee oversees the operation of HOPS and is made up of representatives from up to 14 authorities and the HOPS Project Manager. There are also three co-opted members representing external organisations (COSLA, RTPI Scotland and the Improvement Service). The Executive Committee will take an open and inclusive approach to its work, with members disseminating information to and being informed by the wider HOPS.
Role
- To provide leadership and direct the work programme for sub-committees.
- To provide support, guidance and advice to the sub-committees in respect of planning, environmental and other matters.
- To influence and develop opportunities to work collaboratively to make a positive contribution to planning and related matters.
- To develop, ensure delivery of and monitor a Business Plan.
- To agree and monitor the annual budget.
- To lead communication and liaison with the Scottish Government, public bodies, COSLA and the organisations relevant to the interests of HOPS.
- To make recommendations and take actions in relation to matters of policy.
- To direct public relations and stakeholder communications.
- To determine what relevant consultations should be responded to as directed by the HOPS sub-committees.
Performance & Practice
The Performance and Practice sub-committee is an opt in sub-committee made up of representatives from planning authorities, plus representatives from the Scottish Government Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division, COSLA, RTPI Scotland and Improvement Service.
Role
- To provide support, guidance and advice to the HOPS Executive in respect of Planning Performance and Practice matters and other relevant matters, which are not within the role or remit of the other Sub Committees. This includes areas of performance management, training, education and development, and planning finance and resources.
- To influence and develop opportunities to work collaboratively to make positive contribution to planning reforms and improvements by identifying good and best benchmarking across member authorities and representing the views of Scottish Local Planning Authorities.
- To act as an initiator of changes and improvements by consulting, lobbying, leading and challenging on behalf of the Executive Committee or for the Executive Committee
- Priority areas of work will include planning fees and financial management, planning reforms, resources and staffing, performance management and culture change.
- To to with the National Planning Improvement Co-Ordinator (NPIF) in particular, indicators, scope, content and methodology, in consultation with the other themed sub-committees on behalf of the Executive Committee and the wider HOPS membership.
Key Areas of Work 2026/27
- Ensuring the effective roll out of Elected Member Training to ensure that it is implemented in a manner that will be of benefit to Planning Authorities and their operations.
- Continue to work closely with the National Planning Improvement Champion and the NPIF team to extend the positive impact that the new Performance Frameworks are having on the profile of Planning Services.
- Continue to oversee the activity of the Working Group on Digital Planning to provide commentary on the progression and prioritisation of digital advancement and options for joint working.
- Further engagement with Scottish Government staff on the roll out of the Planning Hub to identify strategic priorities that deliver nationally beneficial outputs.
- Further engagement with Scottish Government on the Skills Commitment Programme particularly on training opportunities and bringing staff into the planning profession.
Development Planning
The Development Planning sub-committee is made up of representatives from all planning authorities. In addition, there is representation from the Scottish Government Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division.
Role
- To provide support, guidance and advice to the HOPS Executive Committee in respect of Development Planning and related matters, which are not within the role and remit of the other Sub Committees.
- Consider key cross-cutting Development Planning and related issues across Planning Authorities and primarily with the Scottish Government, RTPI and the Key Agencies.
- Work with the Scottish Government in respect of any proposed changes to legislation.
- Share development of innovative work and good practice.
Key Areas of Work 2026/27
- HOPS will continue to work alongside Improvement Service, to identify opportunities that will provide HLA support to Planning Authorities.
- Continue to input and work with the Improvement Service and National Planning Hub in shaping the LDP Support Programme, to support planning authorities in the delivery of LDP’s.
- Continue to work with Improvement Service on housing land pipeline data project and proposals to improve the data, in relation to Housing Land Audits.
- HOPS subcommittee will continue to work with SG and HFS, exploring and taking forward collaborative, streamlined approaches that assist planning authorities in the HLA process.
- Continue to identify opportunities for collaborative working across planning authorities, that streamline the planning process and ensure proportionality.
Development Management
The Development Management sub-committee is made up of representatives from all planning authorities. In addition, there is representation from the Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division, and the Enforcement Officers Forum.
Role
- To provide guidance the HOPS Executive Committee and the wider HOPS membership, on emerging development management and related issues.
- To represent local authority development management practitioners at the interface with Scottish Government and other stakeholders, including the Key Agencies.
- A forum for the consideration of current development management issues.
- Contributing to emerging planning law and procedure.
- Liaison with the Scottish Planning Enforcement Officers Forum.
Key Areas of Work 2026/27
- Promotion of a Use Class Order to require planning permission for the use of a property for short term let use
- Continued work to streamline planning processes with a particular focus on:
- Establishment of permitted development for Nature Scot funded/promoted peatland restoration projects.
- Overhaul and replacement of the 1960 Caravan Act with a fit for purpose legislation
- Promotion and review of 1984 Advert regulations
- Fee regulations revisions with a particular focus on capped fees.
- Promotion of the HoPS validation standard across Scotland
- Continued engagement with the Scottish Government on the roll out of Permitted Development Rights and other legislation and consultations as appropriate.
Climate Change, Energy & Resources
The Climate Change, Energy and Resources sub-committee is an opt in sub-committee which can be made up of representatives from all planning authorities. In additional to this there is representation from the Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division, Scottish Government Energy & Consents Unit, Scottish Government Marine Directorate, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Historic Environment Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and NatureScot
Role
- To provide support, guidance and advice to the HOPS Executive Committee, in respect of planning matters relating to energy generation and resources, including coal, minerals, oil, gas, waste, climate change, zero waste, carbon capture, and new technologies.
- To influence and develop opportunities to work collaboratively, representing planning authority interests in relation to climate change, energy generation and resources.
- Work with the Scottish Government in respect of any proposed changes to the legislation.
- Share development of innovative work and good practice.
Key Areas of Work 2026/27
- Continue to lobby for energy applications of all scale to be dealt with under TCP(S)A
- Respond to the forthcoming consultation on Electricity Act process changes
- Maintain watching brief on socio-economics and community benefit from energy development – advocating for a mandatory requirement
- Finalise revised Decommissioning Guidance
- Keep appraised of Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS)
- Keep appraised of developments around Circular Economy (Zero Waste)
- Continue to engage with developments around Hydrogen
- Continue to engage with developments around LHEES
- Maintain the following Sub-groups: