PAS delivers a programme of councillor support focused on the different elements of planning.
When we announce details and dates of Planning specific sessions for councillors we publish them on this page. Please also see our webpage dedicated to Planning Committee support.
In addition, the LGA runs a wider support programme for councillors.
On 2 April 2025, PAS hosted an event for local planning authority members on addressing the nature emergency and you can access a recording and slides on the event webpage.
Planning Leadership Essentials - Councillor Training Residential Courses
Planning Leadership Essentials are back! We are again delivering our legendary LGA Leadership Essentials councillor training sessions. We are going to deliver a few different sessions over the coming year, with different focuses and with potentially different councillor audiences. The two day residential sessions allow us to focus on a specific role or topic within the planning process and bring together a range of speakers, exercises and open discussions for a group of councillors from across the country. Places are limited on each event.
This two-day event for Council Leaders, Portfolio Holders, Planning Leads and Chairs of Planning committees.
The session will focus on:
- Insider Knowledge: Understand what the latest government changes mean for planning and give local leaders in Planning early insights into new policies and reforms.
- Actionable Strategies: Discover what these changes mean for your council's plan-making and decision-making.
- Placemaking Mastery: Learn how to become a champion of placemaking and transform your community.
Good Planning Committees and Planning Committee Chairs – 16th & 17th January 2025, Warwick University.
We are running a return of one of our most popular (and most fun) courses which is focused on the role of Planning Committee Chairs. It will be held at in Warwick University Conference Centre on the 16th & 17th January 2025. The two day course helps councillors who are chairs of planning committee understand the key characteristics of a good committee and develop their skills as a chair, as well as giving updates on new challenges and agendas in the planning process such as Biodiversity Net Gain, new performance regimes, housing numbers and delivery.
The sessions will be useful to both new and experience planning committee chairs and vice chairs.
The two-day residential course will be delivered in person, and this year we'll be trialling access to a short online warm-up session before the in-person session to all those who are attending.
There is a cost to access the session but it is being subsidised by DLUHC, so places are only £200. This covers all access to the course content, food for the weekend and accommodation for the Saturday evening (anyone wishing to attend on the Friday evening will be required to pay a small extra cost)
To find out more or to book a place, please contact: [email protected] There are only limited places so book your place as soon as possible.
Keep an eye open on both PAS and the LGA Leadership Academy announcements for future sessions.