Ian Perry named as head of Edinburgh City Council planning body

Ian Perry, who has also served as head of economic development for the authority, will chair its planning committee under the new Labour-SNP council administration.

He inherits the role at a difficult time for major developments in the city, which have been

largely stalled by the economic downturn. The city is blighted by a string of high-profile gap sites which major developments like the revamp of the old Royal High School, the transformation of the former Donaldson’s deaf school and a new commercial quarter on the site of the St James Centre are on hold.

Cllr Perry, a former Stevenson College lecturer, is one of the most experienced figures in the new administration having been elected in 1999 and having held a string of key posts, including chair of EDI, the council’s development arm.

Edinburgh Labour unveiled its full front bench line-up last night, the day after it emerged that ex Lord Provost Lesley Hinds had been handed the key transport brief.

Another former Lord Provost, Eric Milligan, will be responsibility for the licensing of bars, restaurants and other licensed premises, while Ricky Henderson will lead the council’s health and housing policies.

The SNP have kept a number of key roles under the coalition deal with Labour, including economic development, which Tom Buchanan will remain in charge of, and sport and culture, which newcomer Richard Lewis has landed.

The new Lord Provost, Labour councillor Donald Wilson, is expected to be formally elected at the City Chambers tomorrow (Thursday). His deputy will be the SNP’s Deidre Brock.

Council leader elect Andrew Burns said: “Edinburgh Labour is putting a strong team of experienced talent, who along with our SNP colleagues, are now keen to get on with the job of delivering on our coalition agreement commitments.

“Every one of us will work tirelessly over the next five years to repay the trust that was put in us by the electorate.”