Local Government Association

We are the national voice of local government, working with councils to support, promote and improve

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Chris Poulton MRTPI, Environment Agency

The work I have always found most rewarding is delivering public good – whether that’s working on policies that will have a real impact on speeding up delivery of new infrastructure, delivering a programme to improve capabilities in local authorities, or in government agencies, or setting targets for new homes.

Shaza Brannon MRTPI, Rushcliffe Borough Council

Working in local government is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling; it can be a career for life and is not limited geographically. As local authority town planners, we perform a statutory function, tangibly shaping the place in which we work, for the benefit of our residents now and for future generations.

Dan Janota MRTPI, Natural England

I find it rewarding bringing my technical knowledge and experience to big picture thinking and my experience means I can put myself in local authority planners’ shoes as we reshape how we deliver nationally.

Rhianna Pankhurst, The Planning Inspectorate

What has kept me in the public sector is the sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes. I value being part of a system that aims to balance growth with community needs and long-term sustainability.

Chris King, CMLI, East Suffolk Council, June 2026

I enjoy having the ability to make a tangible difference to places and communities. We have a unique opportunity to influence how neighbourhoods evolve, helping to balance growth, environmental considerations and community needs. The work is varied, challenging and rewarding, with no two days ever being quite the same.

Prathiba Chitsabesan: What can we do to develop a mental health system that works for children?

Prathiba is the National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, NHS England, also working as a consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry in a large mental health and community trust. As part of our series of think pieces exploring children and young people's mental health, Prathiba explores what we can do to develop a mental health system that works for children.

Diverse by Design: a workbook for adult social care

This Diverse by Design for adult social care workbook sets out 15 elements that we believe are fundamental in helping adult social care organisations to embed fair values, systems, and behaviours. It builds on the work and resources of the Diverse by Design Guide for council services, published by the Local Government Association (LGA) in 2021.