Read about our news and latest updates. |
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Welcome to our latest newsletter. We are pleased to share exciting projects and collaborations aimed at supporting local authorities and serving communities. We continue to provide additional capacity, advice and support to authorities, and are committed to raising the profile of planning as a profession through workshops and training. Read on to find out more. |
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A message from the Director |
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As we approach the General Election, there is a sense of anticipation within the planning sector. Local authorities are particularly curious about how a new Government will address the significant and complex challenges we all face. There was no shortage of planning related discussions at UKREiiF 2024 in Leeds last month which saw over 12,000 delegates come together. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with many of you and hear first-hand about the issues impacting your work. |
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During a workshop on supply chain diversity, I highlighted the hurdles SMEs encounter with public sector procurement. Many of you have expressed frustration with these complex and burdensome processes, which often prevent you from accessing the specialist services you need. It's clear that simplifying these regulations would not only help you secure better services at competitive rates but also support a diverse range of suppliers. We take great pride in supporting local authorities nationwide and were honoured to receive a commendation for our work at the RTPI East of England awards in Cambridge. My role on the RTPI General Assembly is driven by a commitment to champion your efforts and promote the vital work you do in planning. As we look to the future, we hope that the new Government will introduce reforms that are evidence-based and strategic, rather than driven by ideology or party politics. Such reforms would ensure a workable and effective planning system that meets your needs and supports long-term success. |
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RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence |
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We are honoured to have been commended for Small Planning Consultancy of the Year at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence Ceremony in the East of England on 20 June. The ceremony was held at Magdalene College in Cambridge. It was wonderful to celebrate excellence in planning in the East of England and to hear an inspiring opening speech from the Vice President of the RTPI, Helen Fadipe MBE. |
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Infrastructure Planning We are busy working on several Infrastructure Delivery Plans for local authorities across the country. We are working with Three Rivers and Harborough District Councils, and Castle Point Borough Council. Associate Nicki Faulkner continues to work with Brentwood Council on the implementation of CIL and is supporting them with identifying governance approaches for the prioritisation and spending of CIL receipts. |
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Duty to Cooperate Associate Director Tim Parton and Planner Charlotte Steele are providing support to both Lewes and Harborough District Councils in meeting their Duty to Cooperate requirements. Our support involves a comprehensive review and approach to the Duty to Cooperate. We also engage with Duty to Cooperate bodies and represent Councils at Examination. Most recently we represented Wirral Council on Duty to Cooperate and housing matters. |
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PAS Project Management Support We are delighted to have once again been commissioned in collaboration with Arup to provide Local Plan Project Management Support to local authorities across England. Since 2021, the project team has supported over 100 local authorities in their local plan making journey. This project is part of the Planning Advisory Service’s wider programme of supporting local planning authorities to get local plans in place to meet the Government’s local plan making deadline. |
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Neighbourhood Planning We are working with five neighbourhood planning groups to advance their neighbourhood plans, alongside our work on behalf of local authorities to promote and support neighbourhood planning. Neighbourhood planning Locality funding has now been released. All eligible Neighbourhood Plan groups can apply for a Basic Grant of up to £10,000. We provide neighbourhood planning services from the initial scoping and visioning activities to Examination advice. Contact tim@dacplanning.com for more information. |
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Training Offer We provide training courses on planning topics for planning professionals, Members and those interested in learning more about planning. Contact nicki@dacplanning.com to discuss a package to suit your training requirements. Read more about our Member training offer. |
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CIL Support We support local authorities in bringing forward and implementing a Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule quickly and effectively. You can read more about Neighbourhood CIL in unparished areas and the benefits to local communities in our recent blog posts. If you require support with CIL, infrastructure planning, governance and delivery, please contact nicki@dacplanning.com. |
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Our collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) continues to grow. As our closest academic institution with RTPI accredited Town Planning courses, we are proud to support their efforts in training the next generation of planners. Each year, ARU hosts an End of Year Show to celebrate the innovative work of its students in Architecture, Architectural Technology, and Town Planning. We were proud to award the Exemplary Policy Practice Certificate at this year’s event. The award highlights exceptional student work in data analysis and policy making. Congratulations to all the Town Planning MSc students at ARU. We look forward to continuing our partnership with ARU in research and learning development. |
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We would love to hear from you and discuss the ways we can best support you and your local authority. | | |
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