Member of Shropshire Council’s planning team recognised in national Women of Influence list

A recently-retired member of Shropshire Council’s planning team has been selected as one of The Planner magazine’s Women of Influence for 2024, in recognition of her nearly 35 years of service to local government in Shropshire.

The Planner is the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Celia Kilgannon (pictured) retired in January 2024, having worked as technical support officer in Shropshire Council’s planning team since the council’s formation in 2009. Prior to that she spent 19 years working in the planning team at the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.

The annual Women of Influence list recognises women who have been influential in and around planning, as nominated by readers of The Planner, with a judging panel that includes distinguished planners from across the UK.

Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said:-

“It is wonderful to hear that Celia has been recognised in these awards given her commitment to supporting colleagues, Shropshire’s communities and the wider aims of planning over her long career. We are very proud of her and her impact on the work of planning and planners, not just over the past year but over the past 34 years. I congratulate her on this much-deserved recognition and wish her a very happy retirement.”

Celia said:

“This was a wonderful surprise and it’s an honour to be selected for such a prestigious award.  What a fabulous end to my 34 years’ service in local government; being recognised for a job that I have always carried out to my best ability because I have loved it. I am very humbled and overwhelmed at everyone’s love and support for me.”

Celia’ award nomination read:

 “Celia has worked for Shropshire Council [and its predecessor] for 34 years and dedicated her working life to ensuring that the planning function runs as smoothly as possible.

“Celia knows everything about the planning process: she trains and develops new officers; she has a wealth of knowledge about permitted development, validation, planning committees; and has been at the heart of planning being digitised in the council. She is the beating heart of the planning service. To quote a legal colleague:

’Planning  is a collaborative process with many stakeholders and Celia’s authenticity and willingness to resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes for everyone she engages with from KCs to householders has an influence far beyond her role and job description’.”