Gwynedd Council and the Isle of Anglesey County Council have launched a joint planning policy service with the aim of making the most effective and efficient use of resources and ensuring an integrated approach to planning policy work across both counties.
In June 2010 the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Gwynedd Council agreed to work together to provide a joint planning policy service. This arrangement included the creation of a Joint Planning Policy Unit (JPPU) to deliver the joint service.
The Policy Teams of Gwynedd and Anglesey have recently merged to form the JPPU which is now operating from offices in the Town Hall, Bangor. This type of joint working arrangement is a step towards meeting the expectations of the Welsh Government, who has made it clear that collaboration will be required between Authorities in order to deliver local services more effectively and efficiently.
The main work of the JPPU will be to produce a single Local Development Plan for Anglesey and Gwynedd (excluding the National Park), which will map out future development in both areas, allocate land for various types of development and includes land use planning policies. Producing a single Local Development Plan for both Planning Authorities will avoid the possible additional costs associated with the individual Councils producing individual plans for Gwynedd and Anglesey.
In addition to producing a single Local Development Plan, the JPPU will also be responsible for:
- Providing specialist advice and consultation responses on planning policy issues to the two councils, external organisations and the public
- Carrying out annual housing land availability surveys across both counties
- Working on development briefs and strategies
- Promoting sustainable development
Establishing the JPPU will not change the way in which applicants in both counties submit planning applications and, as they will continue to be submitted to, processed and considered independently by the two separate planning authorities. However, the JPPU will provide specialist advice on planning policy issues to both planning authorities.
Alex Aldridge, commissioner with responsibility for environmental services on Anglesey said:
“The creation of the JPPU shows that both Councils are embracing the new collaboration agenda set by our Welsh Government. The arrangement will not only facilitate a more effective approach to strategic planning within both authorities, but it brings together a broad range of expertise and experience from the two Councils.
“I am confident that the creation of the JPPU, which brings together specialist staff from both Authorities, will provide a more effective and resilient service for now and the future.”
On behalf of Gwynedd Council, the host authority for the JPPU, the Senior Portfolio Leader for the Environment, Councillor Gareth Roberts added:
“This is the only example in Wales at present of this type of joint working arrangement. With the JPPU now operational, it is an important step forward in the provision of the joint planning policy service for Gwynedd and Anglesey and for collaborative working between the Councils, which is in line with the expectations of the Welsh Government.
“Given the financial climate, it is important that both Councils make the best use of the resources available, in order to provide a more integrated and strategic approach to land use planning and to plan more effectively for the future social, economic and environmental needs of the residents of Anglesey and Gwynedd.
“With the support of both Councils, I am confident that the JPPU can deliver a more effective and efficient planning policy service for Gwynedd and Anglesey.”
For further information about the work of the Joint Planning Policy Unit (Anglesey and Gwynedd) go to www.gwynedd.gov.uk/planningpolicy or contact the Unit at [email protected] or phone 01766 771000.
