The appointments made by the ministers, which take effect during September 2008, are in line with their commitment to enable the Planning Appeals Commission to address the current backlog of planning appeal cases. Alistair Beggs, Rosemary Daly and Mandy Jones have been appointed as Senior Commissioners to the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions. The appointments are permanent and pensionable, attracting remuneration within the range £49,787-£57,797.
In addition, 14 new call-off Panel Commissioners have been appointed to the Planning Appeals Commission for a three year period. These appointments are part-time non-pensionable positions which are remunerated on a fee per case basis, and are available to the Chief Commissioner to deploy in periods of peak workload.
All of the new appointees are members of a relevant professional body.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. None of the new appointees is engaged in any political activity.
Notes to Editors:
The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) is an independent appeals body established under the Planning (NI) Order 1991 to decide a wide range of appeals against decisions of the Department of Environment’s Planning Service and to report on various matters under planning and other legislation.
The Water Appeals Commission (WAC) is a separate tribunal NDPB set up under Article 7 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 and continues under the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
The PAC and WAC currently comprise 21 permanent full-time Commissioners, including the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner. In addition the Chief Commissioner has access to 18 call-off Panel Commissioners who are paid on a fee-per-case basis and who provide a valuable resource to the PAC in periods of peak workload.
Alistair Beggs, Rosemary Daly and Mandy Jones were appointed to the position of Senior Commissioner following an internal selection process and the 14 Panel Commissioner posts were filled by means of an open competition. The suitability of candidates for the Senior and Panel Commissioner posts was considered by selection panels, which included independent assessors, in accordance with best practice in public appointments. The final decisions on the appointments were made by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Biographical Details
New Senior Commissioners
Alistair Beggs, a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, has a BSc degree in Town and Regional Planning and an MSc Research Degree. He has been a Commissioner in the Planning Appeals Commission since 2004, and prior to that held a number of planning-related positions in local authorities in Scotland.
Rosemary Daly, a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, has a BSc degree in Environmental Planning, a postgraduate Diploma in Town and Country Planning and an MSc in Rural Development. She has been a Commissioner in the Planning Appeals Commission since 2005. Prior to that she held a number of positions, more recently in private practice and prior to that in the Department of the Environment.
Mandy Jones, a member of the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects, has a BA degree in Architecture, a post-graduate Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Certificate in Professional Practice and Practical Experience. She has been a Commissioner in the Planning Appeals Commission since 2002, and prior to that was a Chartered Architect in private practice.
New Panel Commissioners
The 14 new Panel Commissioners –are:
- Declan Beggan
- Graham Carlisle
- Michael Culshaw
- Andrew Dale
- Michael Evans
- Sue Glover
- David Hainsworth
- Sue Hesketh
- Sheila Holden
- Michael Hurley
- Deirdre MacGabhann
- John Martin
- Denis McCoy
- David Storrie
They are from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland and all have experience in deciding and reporting on planning appeals within the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland jurisdictions. They have been appointed for three years to assist in addressing the backlog of appeals which has accumulated in the Planning Appeals Commission.
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