Bell backs planning appointment

Politician heading committee again

The chief minister says he believes it's important to have a political chair of planning on the Island.

Allan Bell was speaking after the recent appointment of East Douglas MHK Chris Robertshaw to the role.

Responsibility for the planning system was recently transferred from the Department of Infrastructure to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Mr Robertshaw resigned as policy and reform minister in February, after less than a year in the post. 

Mr Bell says the experiment to have a non-political chair has worked reasonably well, but he believes it's important to have a politician in the role who's aware of government priorities: