The Chamber of Commerce has learnt that, Head of Planning and Regeneration Services, Steve Rogers, is shortly leaving his post to take up a position in the private sector. The Council Regeneration Department has five sections which include:

• Development Planning:
  Responsible for the preparation of statutory development plans the Local Plan and the Structure Plan, promoting outdoor access, the conservation of the built and natural environment and carrying out a wide range of information activities.·

• Development Control:
  Responsible for dealing with planning applications to ensure that development proposals meet the policies of the Local Plan.·

• Economic Development:
  Responsible for giving advice and financial support to local businesses and providing vocational training and employment initiatives.·

• Regeneration:
  Responsible for facilitating the physical and economic regeneration of town centres, business locations and other areas suffering from deprivation.·

• Building Control:
  Responsible for protecting the public with regard to general building works and from dangerous building structures.

With Rogers leaving, the big question will be as to whether this will change in any way the two very contentious developments in Barrhead those being the supermarket in the centre of Barrhead and the development of Shanks Industrial Park. There is also the question of Rogers' replacement which no doubt will be an early matter for discussion at the first sitting of the newly elected Council in May.