Inquiry Reporters Unit: Review of the Year 1998-99

E: Staff, training and development

28. The numbers of full time Reporters (17), part time Reporters (20), and support staff (22.5) remain unchanged from the previous year.

29. Training and development activities have included:

• an awayday training event for support staff on enforcement procedures
• training for all staff on the new Scots II computer software
• a series of Reporters' training seminars, some with external contributors, for the purposes of continuing professional development and to promote consistency in decision making
• attendance of Reporters at a number of externally organised conferences and seminars, including the Town and Country Planning Summer School
• a Reporters' guided training visit to Glasgow
• the provision of speakers at a number of conferences and other external events to promote understanding of the new inquiries procedure rules and the draft code of practice on the written submissions procedure for appeals and other cases.