Futureproof Planning Briefing: The Changing Role of Parish & Town Councils in Planning and Development

Understanding Planning Reform, Delegated Decisions and Local Influence

Date: November 18th

Time: 09:30 – 13:15

Format: In-Person Briefing & Networking Event

Target Audience:

• Councillors
• Clerks
• Planning Committee Members
• Neighbourhood Plan Groups
• Council Chairs
• Council Vice-Chairs

09:00 – Registration, Refreshments & Networking

Tea, Coffee & Pastries

09:30 – Welcome and Introduction

Mel Woof, CEO,  BMKALC

Setting the Scene

• Why is planning changing?
• Why are councils concerned about their future influence?
• Understanding perception versus reality.
• What delegates will gain from the event.

09:45 – National Planning Reform

The Future Role of Parish and Town Councils

Speaker: NALC Representative

Duration: 35 Minutes

Topics

• Current planning reform agenda.
• Housing growth pressures.
• National planning priorities.
• The changing role of local councils.
• NALC’s perspective on future engagement.
• Where local councils should focus their efforts.

Q&A: 10 Minutes

10:30 – Beyond “We Object”: Making Planning Responses More Effective

Speaker: ONH Planning for Good

Duration: 40 Minutes

Topics

• How new legislation has changed planning application decision making
• Writing effective planning representations
• How material consideration and local knowledge can be strengthened 

Q&A: 10 Minutes

11:20 – Refreshment Break

11:35 – From Consultee to Influencer: Planning the Future for your Settlement

Speaker: ONH Planning for Good

Duration: 35 Minutes

Topics

• Why influence is shifting earlier in the planning process
• Community voices and how to ensure they are heard
• Settlement Spatial Planning
• Neighbourhood Plans
• Local Plans

Q&A: 10 Minutes

12:20 – Local Plan Updates

Speaker: Officers from Buckinghamshire Council & Milton Keynes Council

Short presentations on each Local Plan & opportunity for Q & A.

Chair for Q&A: BMKALC

13:05 – Closing Remarks -BMKALC

Key Takeaways

• Engage earlier.
• Understand policy.
• Review neighbourhood planning opportunities.
• Participate in consultations.
• Focus on influencing outcomes rather than reacting to applications.

Venue: The Mezzanine Rooms, County Hall, Aylesbury

Cancellation: A full refund will be given if 14 days or more notice prior to the date of the training course is given. However, this could cause an event to be cancelled if it becomes uneconomic to run.

Members £75 per attendee