Planning Council to be reduced

Press, 21 April 1982, Page 10

Planning Council to be reduced

Parliamentary.'reporter

The Planning Council will be reduced in size from 14 members to eight and its budget will be reduced. The move follows an earlier Government decision to abolish the Commission for the Future and to transfer some of the commission’s functions to the council. . Both decisions will be included. in legislation which the Government plans to introduce into Parliament later' this year.

The Minister of. National Development, Mr Birch, said that the - Government had endorsed the value of the council’s work and would continue 'to accord it substantial support, but, after a review of the council’s activities, it was intended to make some changes to' the council’s structure and work.

In its first , major publication, “Planning Perspectives,” thd council itself had suggested that the life of advisory; councils and committees, including the Planning' Council, could lapse after five years, or so, unless their further value was confirmed.

■\The abolition of the Commission for the Future after five years of work and the decision to transfer some oi its functions to the council had provided “a timely opportunity to review the council’s own value;” The Government saw a need for an. independent agency such as the council to continue to monitor and report on general trends, pros-

pects. issues, and options in social and economic 'development, Mr Birch said.

Another important function was the, council’s publication of in-depth studies of particular issues and comment on options for the future. The council also helped to foster public understanding and discussion of development issues, provided valuable advice and assistance to the Government and to others concerned with economic and social planning, and provided a valuable consultation and public education service. The Government believed that the council could be reduced in size and would also be able to work on a smaller budget. This was especially the case if, as the, Government

intended, departments were encouraged to make staff available on secondment to help the council with studies of particular interest to both the Government and the council. ' The council would, however. retain the right of determining its own work programme and, publishing its reports if it wanted to do so. ,

An amendment to the Planning Act would be required to allow for many of the changes being considered. This amendment would also formally abolish the Commission for the Future, Mr Birch said.

The present council would remain in office and would continue to receive about its present level of funds until the legislative changes were made later this year.