Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has convened the first ministerial planning engagement forum with elected members to examine ongoing reforms to the planning system under NILGA's Planning Improvement Learning and Engagement Programme.

Bringing together councillors from across Northern Ireland, the session provided an update on the Planning Improvement Programme and offered a platform to share experiences, feed back on progress, raise concerns and explore examples of best practice to support continuous improvement.

Discussions covered shared responsibility and partnership working to deliver an efficient, credible and trusted planning system; regional policy and infrastructure challenges and opportunities; the socio-economic needs of rural towns and villages; operational performance; and regionally significant and called-in applications.

Minister Kimmins said: "Engagement and open dialogue are key elements of my Department's Planning improvement Programme and it is vital that our elected representatives, many of whom sit on planning committees, can have their say on how efficiencies can be made to improve the effectiveness of our planning system.

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"Local decision-making is a cornerstone of democratic accountability, and elected members play a central role in ensuring that planning decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve. With that comes a clear responsibility to make robust, balanced decisions that are firmly grounded in the public interest and supported by sound planning principles."

Minister Kimmins added: "Great strides have been made already with average processing times for major planning applications in 2024/25 having reached their lowest point since planning powers were transferred in 2015, new trainee planners have been recruited and Independent Inspectors are being appointed to support "Hear and Report" work.

"However, improving the system is a continuous process that requires collaboration. That is why we are here and why my Department continues to work in partnership with local government, with the aim of enhancing the performance and long-term effectiveness of the planning system in the North.

"It is also important to acknowledge that many of the measures and initiatives will take time to embed fully before sustained improvements in performance are realised.

"My focus remains firmly on driving forward the planning improvement agenda to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the regional system. I hope that this engagement will help guide targeted actions for improvement and foster shared learning, laying the groundwork for more consistent and effective planning practices."

A photograph taken at the forum shows Minister Liz Kimmins with Cllr Billy Webb, President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA).