Vol. 501 No. 4
120 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if a time limit has been set for the establishment of strategic planning committees and the area committees of local amenities; if procedures have been agreed for the selection of community representatives on the committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6427/99]
Strategic policy committees, SPCs, made up of elected members and external representatives, including community representatives, have now been established in each county and city local authority. The SPCs were established in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department. I am establishing a broadly representative working group to review the operation of these guidelines. This review will have regard to the process of establishment of the SPCs, including the involvement of external representatives.
Many local authorities have area committees made up of elected members to deal with matters related to roads, physical planning and similar issues. These committees will continue as before. However, as part of the implementation of the report of the task force on the integration of local government and local development systems, the area committee membership will be expanded to include representatives of the community and voluntary sector when dealing with community development and for the purpose of the area's contribution to the proposed county-city strategy on economic, social and cultural development. It is envisaged that the area committees, as expanded, will come into operation following the local elections next June.
