Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of every planning authority having a Chief Planning Officer.

Local authorities are independent employers, responsible for the management and organisation of their own workforces. They are best placed to understand local priorities and to make resourcing decisions accordingly, including decisions about whether they should have a chief planning officer. However, town planners and other qualified professionals, who set policy and advise on decisions regarding the built and natural environments, play a key role in delivering a strong and effective planning service. The inputs will be even more vital to tackle today's and tomorrow's opportunities and challenges, including delivering more, well designed and sustainable homes and neighbourhoods and enhanced natural environments. There have been no discussions between my Department and the City of York Council on this issue.