I move amendment No. 24:
In page 18, subsection (1)(b), line 4, to delete "prepare and".
This is a technical amendment to section 20 which specifies the functions of the council. Section 20(1)(b) provides that it will be a function of the council to prepare and submit to the Minister planning schemes under section 25. However, in practice, the detailed preparation of a planning scheme will be for the executive of the authority reporting to the executive board. The executive board will, in turn, then seek the council's approval for the planning scheme and then submit it to the Minister.
This amendment will, therefore, more accurately reflect the position whereby the preparation of a planning scheme will be the responsibility of the board and its approval and submission to the Minister will be the responsibility of the council. I hope that is clear. In essence, the scheme will be drawn up by the executive, put, debated, discussed and, if agreed, approved by the council and then submitted to the Minister for final approval. I just want to clarify the role.