Committee of Inquiry : Planning issues surrounding the operation of Reg’s Skips Ltd.

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A decision made (06/04/2009) regarding: Committee of Inquiry : Planning issues surrounding the operation of Reg’s Skips Ltd.

Decision Ref:	MD-PE-2009-0068
Subject:	COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY : PLANNING ISSUES SURROUNDING THE OPERATION OF REG’S SKIPS LTD
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Reg’s Skips Committee of Inquiry
DS Author:	Andrew Scate, CEO Planning and Environment
DS Date:	3 April 2009	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title :	PROPOSITION: COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY: REG’S SKIPS LTD. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
WR Author:	Senator F E Cohen
WR Date	03/04/2009	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment approved the report and proposition seeking to establish a Committee of Inquiry – i) to establish whether the various planning applications were determined appropriately and to a standard expected of the Planning and Environment Department; and ii) to establish whether the legal fees accrued by Reg’s Skips Ltd totalling nearly £300,000 were as a result of any failings in the processes or actions of the Planning and Environment Department.
Reason(s) for Decision:	Having reflected on various statements made during the course of the States debate of P.29/2009 (‘Ex Gratia Compensation Payment – Mr. and Mrs. Pinel’) that were critical of the Planning Department, the Minister considered that it was necessary to establish the facts of the matter.
Resource Implications:	A Committee of Inquiry is expected to cost no more than £15,000
Action required:	To request the Greffier of the States to lodge the proposition forthwith and with a view to securing the earliest possible date for debate.
Signature:
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Committee of Inquiry : Planning issues surrounding the operation of Reg’s Skips Ltd.

PROPOSITION

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY: REG’S SKIPS LTD. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion –

a) to agree that a Committee of Inquiry should be established in accordance with Standing Order 146 to inquire into a definite matter of public importance, namely to investigate all planning matters relating to the various relevant planning applications made by, or on behalf of, Reg’s Skips Ltd. in connection with the activities of the company as skip operators -

i) to establish whether the various planning applications were determined appropriately and to a standard expected of the Planning and Environment Department; and

ii) to establish whether the legal fees accrued by Reg’s Skips Ltd totalling nearly £300,000 were as a result of any failings in the processes or actions of the Planning and Environment Department.

b) to request the Chief Minister to take the necessary steps to select a suitable Chairman and members to undertake the inquiry and to bring forward to the States for approval the necessary proposition relating to their appointment.

MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Report

During the recent States debate on the proposition lodged by Senator Shenton many statements were made by members criticising the Planning Department. The purpose of the Committee of Inquiry is to establish the accurate facts and to determine if the various planning applications made by Reg’s Skips were appropriately dealt with by the Planning Department. The Inquiry will also establish if the actions of the Planning Department were responsible for the legal bills totalling nearly £300,000 currently accrued by Reg’s Skips.

It is essential that confidence is maintained in the Planning Department and this Inquiry will ensure that the facts are available to States members and the public.

Financial and manpower implications

The costs will depend upon the level of officer support required. A Committee of Inquiry normally requires the appointment or secondment of an officer on a part-time basis and I estimate that the total cost should not exceed £15,000. The Minister for Treasury and Resources is required, under Standing Order 150(c), to give directions on how the above expenses should be funded.