A new commission will review the planning authority's policies and present a set of recommendations on how they can be streamlined.

The commission, launched yesterday by Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, has the task of reviewing the internal policies of the authority.

Chaired by David Pace, members Raphael Axiak, Tony Fenech and Martin Galea will go through the policies and analyse if there is any overlapping, or if any are obsolete.

They are expected to present their recommendations to Mepa by the end of the year, Dr de Marco told a news conference.

However, policies covering outside scheme developments will be reviewed by the strategic unit in the Office of the Prime Minister. The unit has not yet been set up.

These recommendations will help the authority become more transparent, user-friendly and consistent, Dr de Marco said.

Several steps promised in the authority's reform were implemented through the setting up of the commission and its revamped website, which was launched on Wednesday, he added.

A call was issued this week for anybody interested in forming part of the two Development Control Commission boards on a full-time basis. Next week, there will be another call for applications for those interested in sitting on the planning appeals board.