MAVERICK rezoning has reemerged as an issue undermining public confidence in the planning system, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, told local authorities.
Speaking at a meeting of local authority chairpersons and managers, called to discuss the Government's Strategic Management Initiative for local government, the Minister said one area of great concern relates to the performance of planning authorities around the State.
"It is my intention to focus on this area among others in the drive for greater efficiency at local authority level."
He singled out Co Dublin and said while better performance was an important issue, he was concerned about the ongoing controversy surrounding rezoning in the Dublin county area.
"Our whole planning system is anchored on the local development plan," he said. "This is the single most important planning function performed by local authorities.
"Zoning must be carried out in a responsible and orderly way, taking account of quantifiable needs and the implications for infrastructural and other services, for amenity, for existing communities and with full regard for the resource implications.
"Maverick rezoning cannot be expected to be accommodated by the provision of scarce public resources for essential services such as water, drainage, roads etc. I have already made absolutely clear that I will not be influenced by, such zonings in determining priorities for the allocation of funding for infrastructural services.
"I hope that this will convince councillors to avoid promoting or supporting zonings not based on sound planning grounds."
The Strategic Management Initiative has now been extended to local authorities, which are being asked to examine the factors likely to affect their operations over the coming years; take a fresh look at the needs of their customers; take a critical look at their organisations; set objectives and identify key issues and set up systems to monitor progress.
Mr Howl in warned those involved in the provision of public services not to lose sight of their essential purpose to serve the public.
Mr Howl in announced that his Department would be with drawing substantially from day to day involvement in control of local human resources. That will now be left to managers to manage.