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:
Skills Strategy hopes to tackle 'significant' skills shortage
Loganair to remove Saturday service to Birmingham
Trial for Douglas man who denies keying car
Southern Pool board welcomes assurances over site's future
Looneys of Ramsey to close
Future of Belfast flights 'precarious' due to low passenger numbers
