Development Plan Document Examinations - Programme Officer Guidance Notes
4. THE PO’s OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS
4.1 Initially, there may be an opportunity for the PO to do some work from home depending on whether the LPA and Inspector are content with such an arrangement. However, appropriate office accommodation will be essential to the proper performance of the PO’s duties.
4.2 Office accommodation needs to be:
- Very close to the Examination venue and separate from the LPA Planning Department. The office should be dedicated for that purpose and not be a shared facility with other local authority functions.
- Accessible to all members of the public during normal office hours and having chairs and a desk for visitors.
- Equipped with the usual desks, chairs, filing cabinets, stationery etc. A direct phone line and separate fax line are necessary, as is an answering machine. A photocopier should also be provided for the PO, which can also be used to copy documents for visitors, at either minimal or no charge.
4.3 IT equipment should include:
- A PC and a suitably heavy-duty printer should be provided
- Links to the LPA network and access to the Examination database
- E-mail facilities and connection to the LPA’s web site.
4.4 Correspondence should be:
- Distinctive, easily recognisable headed paper and compliments slips should be used that contain the Inspector’s and PO’s names but not the LPA’s logo.
Date stamped with all Examination documents also officially stamped and dated.
