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 drive forward with the continual improvement of the Planning Performance Framework (PPF) 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 2023/24
- Working with the Scottish Government’s appointed Planning Champion to progress improvement to planning services, especially around areas of performance, training and resourcing.
- The sub-Committee will finalised suggested new indicators for thoroughly revised PPFs and work with the new Planning Champion.
- Supporting the identification and delivery of training, particularly around NPF4 following the Improvement Service skills survey.
- Continue to support work on Future Planners and bringing new staff into the planning system
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.
2023/24 Key Areas of Work
- Continuing to progress the work on evidence reports and data collection, particularly work with the Key Agencies Group and the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals.
- Continuing to progress collaborative work with Public Health Scotland and the NHS.
- Continue sharing good practice and learning on Open Space Strategies, Play Sufficiency Assessments and Local Place Plans
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.
2023/24 Key Areas of Work
- Continued work with the Scottish Government, providing Planning Authority feedback on the NPF4 policies
- Continued engagement with the Scottish Government on the roll out of Permitted Development Rights Phase 3.
- Providing evidence to support the HOPS position on Full Cost Recovery.
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.
2023/24 Key Areas of Work
- Continue work with the Scottish Government, providing Planning Authority feedback on NPF4 policies, particularly those associated with the Climate Emergency and renewables development.
- Continue engagement with PARD on Scotwind Policy, through both the working group and wider sub-committee.
- Continue discussion on grid infrastructure and enhancement; contribute as needed to phase 3 PDR consultation on transmission, generation and supply of electricity under class 40.
- Contribute to any further work on guidance relating to battery storage applications – continue to advocate the need for more guidance and support any efforts to produce this.
- Continue to engage with developments around Hydrogen.
- Continue to engage with developments around Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES).
- Keep appraised of Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS).
- Keep appraised of developments around Circular Economy (Zero Waste).
- Respond to the Scottish Government consultation on the Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
- Engage with Scottish Government and industry on the Onshore Wind Sector Deal.
Digital Planning
The Digital Planning sub-committee is an opt in sub-committee made up of representatives from planning authorities, local authority IT staff plus representatives from the Scottish Government Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division, Scottish Government Digital Planning, RTPI Scotland, British Geological Society and the Improvement Service.
Role
- To provide support, guidance and advice to the HOPS Executive Committee, in respect of planning matters relating to digital transformation and planning data.
- To provide support for HOPS members on the Digital Planning Programme Board.
- Share development of innovative work and good practice.
2023/24 Key Areas of Work
- Collaborating with the Digital Planning Team at the Scottish Government on the actions set out in the digital planning strategy, particularly involvement in the Digital Planning Programme and the ‘Governance Mission’ workstream of the Digital Strategy
- Ongoing Digital Planning liaison and development through the Programme Board and Working Group.
- Continued representation on the Scottish Government Data Standards Steering Group
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