The regulations that I’m introducing today will provide a consistent basis for planning committees in Wales to maximise efficiency and reinforce effective decision making. The regulations take forward recommendations from the independent Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru report into the operation of planning committees in Wales. Specifically, the regulations require planning committees to consist of between 11 and 21 members, but no more than 50 per cent of the total members of the local authority. The regulations also limit membership of the planning committee to one elected member per ward, to ensure a member is available to act as local representative and become involved in local planning issues.

The legislative requirements have been subject to public consultation, and received significant support across all sectors involved in the planning process. The consultation proposals have already resulted in several local planning authorities taking it upon themselves to change their planning committees so they meet the requirements of the regulations I’m putting forward today. Nevertheless, it remains important that legislation is taken forward. The size of planning committees in Wales has fluctuated significantly over the years with both increases and decreases observed, often to the detriment of performance. There remains a risk with the forthcoming local government elections that planning committee sizes may once again increase to a level that is detrimental to efficiently and effectiveness. These regulations are necessary to ensure current planning committee structures are maintained, and to assist the development of highly skilled, effective planning committees throughout Wales. I move.