Bring planners into local authority cabinets – and strengthen public involvement in the planning system, says Government
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Secretary General, Robert Upton, has welcomed comments from the Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, calling for larger numbers of chief planners to be members of local authority cabinets and management teams.
Blears stated: 'I want to see people with planning expertise in Local Authority Cabinets and on management teams prepared to champion planning…because no-one wins when you have planning off on its own, seen as a separate thing.'
RTPI Secretary General, Robert Upton, also called on more local authorities to take action:
'Good local authorities understand that spatial planning is essential to deliver all aspects of a community’s vision for itself. The RTPI welcomes the Government’s backing for more qualified planners to be part of senior management teams.'
In her keynote speech Hazel Blears spoke further about strengthening public involvement in the planning system, by making it more accessible and understandable and encouraged planners to take positive steps forward to facilitate 'the right development in the right place, at the right time'.
Speaking after the event, RTPI PIPA Network Manager and conference organiser Andrew Matheson said:
'The conference attracted a good cross-section of local planning leaders and many delegates found attending the day enormously beneficial. This sentiment echoes the Minister who commented in her speech ‘how glad I am that PIPA exists’.'
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