Ms Gillian Coughlan:

On the resources that would be required, we all attend assembly meetings. In the past, including when the most recent regional spatial and economic strategy was being drafted, chief executives or senior planners from local authorities attended and briefed members. That is not currently occurring. As members, we are attending these meetings without as much support as we should have. We have our democratic mandate but there should be more support for members attending these meetings. The regional spatial and economic strategy is a huge and important document. There needs to be more cohesion from the local authorities in that regard.