Decentralise the planning process

Last Tuesday I attended the consultation meeting on Reform Of The Local Councils held at Howard Gardens. It was a civilised and most pleasant discussion, partisan politics being set aside.

I proposed, among other contributions to ameliorate the local councils, that the complete control of our environmental and planning process be decentralised to, initially, the 13 district committees of the local councils. This would be a double-edged prong in the sense that one would be removing the excessive powers now hijacked by the Mepa kings and one would also be speeding up the process of determining the fate of all applications.

At the same time, one would also be acknowledging the good efforts being made by the local councils. With regard to some councillors' negative mentality, I stressed that the ministry responsible for them is in duty bound to monitor with the full power of the law and snub, chide and penalise where and when necessary.

The Prime Minister singled out this suggestion as a do-able proposal.