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With local elections and the reshuffle, we are clearly entering a new era. What difference will it make that Ruth Kelly has replaced John Prescott at the helm of what we must now learn to call the Department for Communities and Local Government? Apart from the huge rebranding exercise and costs associated with it, it is hard to say until we get a fuller sense of the department's operation.

Kelly will have a number of urgent issues to contend with. The recent ODPM select committee on the planning gain supplement will soon be publishing its thoughts following an onslaught of criticism in the oral evidence given by a number of credible organisations.

A damning indictment in the report will only cement the view of many that the proposals have been ill thought out, and the occupants of No 11 Downing Street and Eland House may have to work hard to convince many to think otherwise. Kate Barker's review of land use planning will inevitably be another challenge to the department to ensure it retains control of its core planning functions.

In the mean time, Kelly must contend with the review of "non-proliferation of agencies", as comments are analysed from a consultation on the future of English Partnerships' merger with the Housing Corporation and much more.

Barker at it again

As well as launching the planning-gain supplement consultation at the pre-Budget report last December, the chancellor announced that economist Kate Barker had been asked to lead an independent review of land use planning, focusing on the link between planning and economic growth in England.

With the terms of reference stating that the review would look at how planning policy and procedures can deliver economic growth and prosperity, in the context of globalisation and sustainable development, it was no surprise that the 15 questions that made up the call for evidence were broad-ranging. Issues raised ranged from high occupation costs to joined-up local and regional government and a request for global comparisons.

The outcome of this review could either see government tinkering with the edges of planning policy through secondary legislation and guidance, or changes to primary legislation that has only been on the statute books for two years.

With this in mind, the main point the property industry raised was that the new planning system needs time to bed in before it is either heavily revised or scrapped. Most local planning authorities are still compiling their local development frameworks, while key facets of the act are still coming on stream. For example, this month will see the enactment of secondary legislation on design and access statements and local development orders.

The call from the industry to the Barker team is to give the new system a chance.

Whatever Barker's recommendations, it is essential that they are harmonised with the energy review, the Eddington review into business infrastructure and transport and the Lyons review into local government funding - these will all have an impact on planning in one way or another.