Robust discussions and greater understandings

The first of two meetings at Communities and Local Government (CLG) involved our bi-monthly session of co-operative working, where we were shown a map of local authorities’ local development framework (LDF) Core Strategy performance – not a happy picture.
Reasons vary from inadequate reflection of guidance, to political resistance, to problems surrounding the increase in housing, reflected in approved Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), to lack of professional capacity. The reduction in Housing and Planning Delivery Grant (HPDG) – albeit from a much increased level over the next couple of years – may impact further on performance. However, the Government Office (GO)–Planning inspectorate (PINs)–Planning Advisory Service (PAS) regional task forces had been helpful. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS) are also coming in with the expectation that major projects and infrastructure investment will require robust LDFs in place.

The second gathering was of 20 major and two sole trader consultant heads meeting Steve Quartermain, the RTPI team and me to consider more effective methods of engagement for what is now more than 50 per cent of the profession.
The meeting started off with some complaints, but ended with both gaining a greater understanding of the RTPI service offer and a framework for future co-operation with both CLG and RTPI. We will meet again in the autumn to monitor progress. I also hope to repeat these sessions, as part of some of my regional and national visits.

Next, a robust and healthy discussion with the Young Planners’ Steering Group – a baptism of fire for both Ann Skippers (next year’s President) and me. They are a lively and challenging bunch and our debate ranged primarily around why perceptions of planners are so negative. They came up with some good ideas, especially through the use of new technology techniques, such as blogs and twittering (lost me at this point, although my children are always accusing me of wittering on – is this the same, I wonder?)
The evening of 12th May was one of the most pleasurable events to date for me, as President, where I was invited to give the presentation at the 40 years celebration of the accreditation of London South Bank University’s planning course.
As a part time alumnus, who studied for the then RTPI external exams at, firstly, Brixton School of Building and then South Bank Poly, it allowed me the luxury of reminiscing about those wonderful teachers who laid the foundation for my planning career – Shean McConnell (theory), Tony Morris (history), George Chartres (design) and “Fitz” (economics) – never did find out his christian name but he had a brilliant teaching technique of bringing in a newspaper, often the FT, getting us to read and understand a story, then providing the economic theory behind it.

George, on the other hand, taught me to think and present in 3D, an early foundation for what became “place making”, once you added the people! It was great fun meeting past and present lecturers and students.

Next week, the first of my “proper” regional visits, Yorkshire and Humber, returning to one of my favourite parts of the country where youngest daughter Alex was born – in North Yorkshire.

Martin Willey
2009 RTPI President