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Planning and Conservation Theme Workshop
Thursday 31 August 2006
Attended:
Anna Palaiologou - External Expert, Aegion, Greece
Nikolaos Petropoulos External Expert, Aegion, Greece
Sophia Kakdi - Officer, Messologhi, Greece
Tomasz Lesner - Regional Co-ordinator, Poland
Igor Kaniecki - Regional Co-ordinator Assistant, Poland
Jolanta Podhajska - Deputy Mayor, Puck, Poland
Krystian Kaleta - Head Councillor, Puck, Poland
Marek Rinz - Town Councillor, Puck, Poland
Janusz Szmidt - Town Councillor, Puck, Poland
Benedykta Dumania - Town Councillor, Puck, Poland
Jaros³aw Pa³kowski - Deputy Mayor, Hel, Poland
Teresa Rzepko - Treasurer, Hel, Poland
Marek Dykta - Town Councillor, Hel, Poland
Camilla Holmberg - Town Planner, Kungalv Sweden
Bjorn Alm - Council Officer, Stromstad, Sweden
Susanne Korduner - Chief Executive, Amal, Sweden
Peter Petersson - Engineer City Planning, Amal, Sweden
Maria Lejerstedt - Chief Executive, Stromstad, Sweden
Derek Stewart - Community Representative, Stonehaven
Craig Stewart - Environmental Planner (Projects), Stonehaven
Arthur Angus - Council Officer, Inverurie
Steve Gray - Environmental Planner (Projects), Inverurie
Shaun Norman - Environmental Planner (Built Heritage), Ellon
Summary of Progress
1.1 Igor Kaniecki referred to projects to date and the June Planning and Conservation Workshop held in Poland.
1.2 Igor referred to background presentation earlier in conference this identified the following focus for the Scottish Conference Workshop;
1) Agreement on best practice operational model based on Stonehaven and Lebork models.
2) Exchange of experiences and best practices by towns, with use of materials from these towns (either describing the process of project or visualising the project).
3) Defining common and similar local projects and working on them jointly by sharing of best practice experiences and knowledge in order to fill in potential gaps - Peer Review Process.
4) Describing and recording the Theme 4 process listing guidelines and the key features for success.
1.3 Discussion followed the delegates were happy with the operational model put forward by Poland but thought that the additional points needed to be considered.
1) Include reference to the EU Sustainability Accord, the draft EU Territorial proposals and Small Towns Distinctiveness as raised in Cliff Hague's earlier presentation "Review of the Projects Progress".
2) Include public consultation stage in operational model.
3) Request partner towns to define the planning tools vital for project delivery for inclusion in SUSSET model.
1.4 After hearing from Craig Stewart on the background to the Stonehaven project model, delegates discussed the various stages included and agreed to accept the Stonehaven model subject to the inclusion of a community representative on the Project Management Team.
2. Exchange of Experiences and Best Practice
2.1 Greek Towns - Anna Palaiologou and Sophia Kakdi described the project planning process in their towns which focussed upon 4 year long project plans linked to the Town Councils and Regional Councils goals. The project plan was reviewed as part of the elections for the town mayor, and championed by the Mayor of each town. Reference was also made to zoning of towns for different uses (e.g. café/bars, hotels, housing) design codes, building protection notices.
2.2 Swedish Towns - Camilla Holmberg and Bjorn Alm described the planning system, which is also reviewed every 4 years. There is a statutory duty to consult citizens twice during the plan preparation process but no minimum length of consultation period.
2.3 Scottish Towns - Steven Gray circulated a CD containing copies of plans and reports of Scottish Planning projects.
2.4 Jolanta Podhajska and colleagues described how in Puck, Poland it was difficult to get local people to take part in consultation proposals as the people preferred to see firm and detailed proposals.
2.5 Craig Stewart suggesting introducing public consultation into the feasibility study stage for operational model.
2.6 Bjorn Alm suggested the operational model might consider distinguishing between client group and management group.
2.7 Sophia Kakdi asked if other towns had to carry out environmental assessments as part of their feasibility studies.
2.8 Discussion followed about the differences between the methods and approaches to planning in the towns represented and we agreed on the need to;
1) refocus Theme 4 Planning and Conservation on planning tools, and planning approaches and what makes each small town distinctive;
2) prepare standard questions to help share best practice on planning tools and local distinctiveness;
3) prepare model form for comparing towns (End of September); and
4) agree timeline and the dates to complete Theme 4 (December 06/March 07)
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