Planning chief acknowledges ‘crucial role’ of local planners on visit to Shropshire

Trudi Elliott (centre) with Councillor Robert Macey (fourth from left) and Ian Kilby (fifth from right) – plus planning and economic growth officers – on her visit to Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) visited Shropshire Council’s Shirehall headquarters in Shrewsbury this week (Monday 19 June 2017) and said she was “delighted to hear how planners are playing a crucial role in shaping the county’s future”.

Trudi Elliott visited Shropshire – where she once worked – to discuss the contribution the planning process can make to deliver the council’s aspiration for sustainable economic growth across the county, and the role of the RTPI to support this.

She met Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and regulation, plus officers from  the council’s planning and economic growth teams.

At the meeting the importance of maintaining up-to-date planning policies was acknowledged, and ways of further strengthening links with the RTPI were discussed.

It was agreed that while new development and infrastructure projects can sometimes generate tension within communities, that a focus now on improving quality and efficiency at each stage of the process will lead to improved outcomes on the ground.

Ian Kilby, Shropshire Council’s planning services manager, said:

“We had a constructive discussion with Trudi about economic growth. We also highlighted the value of professionalism and ethics identified by the RTPI in regulating its members to maintain the credibility of the profession and confidence in the planning process overall.”

Robert Macey said:

“I am pleased to have met Trudi and to have discussed with her the planning pressures we face in Shropshire. I welcome the opportunities that exist for closer working with the RTPI and other key stakeholders. This will allow Shropshire to continue to positively influence national policy and highlight the important role of planning in responding to the particular social, economic and environmental issues we face.”

Trudi Elliott, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute said:

“Having worked in Shropshire before I am delighted to return to hear how planners are playing a crucial role in shaping the county’s future.

“There is no doubt in my mind that local planners such as the ones I met today are driving positive change throughout the country, despite the challenges they have to face in the recent years. In the face of uncertainty and immense change in society, the Institute must continue to innovate and deliver to help them do their jobs. This opportunity to hear from Shropshire’s colleagues directly is invaluable.

“We are currently consulting our members on the RTPI’s priorities and I urge all them to come forward and help build an even stronger profession.”