All elected members will have contact with planning issues. They may become involved in local cases as ward representatives, they may serve as members of the planning committee and they may become involved in development issues at full council meetings. Under the proposals in the DETR's Paper, 'Local Leadership, Local Choice', they may also become involved in planning as members of the council's executive.
Planning has a positive role to play in delivering services to local communities.
To achieve its objectives, a number of different partners must work closely together. The Government is responsible for national legislation, and national and regional guidance. Local planning authorities assist in the production of regional guidance, produce development plans and take individual planning decisions. Because of the large sums of money which can be at stake and the strong feelings which can be aroused, it is particularly important that correct procedures are followed, everyone with an interest feels that they have been given a fair hearing and questions of impropriety cannot and do not arise. One chapter of their report was devoted to the planning system.