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PAS Bulletin - Latest news
There is a week until our annual conference, and the PAS team continues to work hard to ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your time with us. All we ask in return is that you be present, focused, and engaged (and that you fill out your feedback form, of course!). For those who are not able or eligible to attend, keep reading. The announcements are coming at a rapid pace, and we don't want you to miss anything!
Anna Rose
Head of PAS
Pathways to Planning – which is in its second year – provides local planning authorities with a pipeline of talented new planners. In exciting news, the LGA is now able to offer councils salary bursaries to cover part or all of a graduate planner’s salary to help create new positions in their planning teams. We would strongly encourage you to apply for a salary-funded place if you are unable to use an existing graduate planner role to take part in the programme. A simple allocation process will take place in March, but until then, you can indicate your interest in a salary-funded role on the programme’s expression of interest form.
If you have a vacant graduate post or could create one, you can still express an interest and take advantage of the educational bursaries the programme offers, including funding should the Chartered Town Planner apprenticeship lose its funding in the ongoing Government review. Learn more about the programme
The guidance from the Government on the Green Belt, originally expected in January 2025, is now anticipated in the coming weeks. We have therefore decided to postpone both the NPPF Green Belt Grey Belt and the Golden Rules webinars by one month so that we can consider the guidance in these sessions.
This PAS and LGA online webinar for local authority councillors at 10am to 12pm, on 10th March 2025, is an opportunity to hear from MHCLG officials about the recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning system.
As part of the event there will be a Q&A session and attendees will have the opportunity to post questions. The event is likely to be very popular and we anticipate there will be lots of questions. We will be running the Q&A during the session hosted via Slido which will be sent to you once you have registered for the event.
This online event for councillors will cover the challenges and opportunities their role presents to address the nature emergency and take action to deliver nature recovery. It is especially relevant to cabinet members and portfolio holders. Councillors can sign up to one of two repeat sessions at 3pm or 6pm on 2 April
There are still a few places left on the 20 March workshop on the monitoring of design codes. This online workshop is part of a series that we have been delivering with MHCLG and Design Code Pathfinder authorities on DM officers working with design codes. This session focuses on monitoring the impact of the use of design codes and you will hear from pathfinder local authorities about how DM officers who have been using their codes are monitoring their impacts. There are only a few places left - book your place on the Design Codes event
We've had lots of fantastic interest already from local authorities to become part of the regional Design and Place Networks that the PAS and MHCLG are supporting. The first meetings for the nine regional networks are happening in late March and early April being an opportunity to share experiences, help tailor and access support around design and place shaping. If your local or combined authority would be interested in joining your region's design and place network we are asking you to register via completion of a short survey
On Wednesday 5 March 2025, 10.30am-12pm, the LGA is hosting a webinar on What local authority planners need to know about hydrogen. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is seeking to support the development of the hydrogen economy through funding research and feasibility studies, and this session will assist local planners who may be assessing hydrogen project planning applications.
We have been giving Local Plans support and advice to councils for over three years on Project Management, Evidence Base and Duty to Cooperate. We have distilled our learning into ten top tips for each area of advice. Take a look at our learning top tips
Following publication of the new NPPF and feedback PAS has received from councils, we have updated and refreshed the defensible decision-making training presentation. Please download this presentation when you train your Planning Committee Members and adapt it to meet the needs of your council.
Navigating the complex system of approvals, funding routes, and delivery mechanisms for different types of infrastructure can be challenging. Our new PAS resource helps LPAs and stakeholders by categorising infrastructure types, outlining permission processes, and identifying funding options. It is designed to serve as a practical reference tool for local authorities and stakeholders involved in infrastructure projects, supporting a holistic approach to planning and delivery. Find out more about the navigating infrastructure guide.
Great news for local authorities! The Government has announced new funding to help councils at the Regulation 18 stage with the extra work needed to align their local plans with the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This funding aims to support local authorities in preparing their plans for examination by December 2026. This is in addition to the funding announced in December 2024 for councils at the Regulation 19 stage and those reviewing Green Belt boundaries.
If your local authority is eligible, you can apply for a share of this funding by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 28 February 2025. Find out more about the eligibility criteria, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Planning Capacity and Capability Team at: [email protected]
Public Practice wants to hear how local government skills and capacity issues affect you and your team. Their Local Authority Recruitment and Skills Survey 2025 is live, and you are invited to share your experiences working in local government placemaking over the last year. Share your personal experience and help them identify the skills gaps and trends across local government in the medium to long term. The survey is open until the end of 4 March. Take the five minute survey.
Historic England’s Learning Platform is a one stop shop for courses aimed at local authority officers in planning and historic environment services roles. Topics range from the essentials of historic environment management to more technical training. New courses are due for release in March on PVs and HEAN 18 guidance on adapting buildings for energy efficiency. In addition, they run regular webinars and host a Local Authority Heritage Community on the Knowledge Hub for discussions, resource sharing, and help relating to climate change adaptation.
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