Collaboration and opportunity: Reflections from the planning resilience symposium
Planning is about people, place and partnership, and this was the sentiment that resonated around the room at the Hertfordshire planning resilience symposium. Planners, Heads of Planning and private sector members of the HIDB came together to share learnings, reflect on challenges and to look to the future opportunities that will come from Local Government Reorganisation.
With diverse expertise and perspectives in the room, the discussion centred on identity, trust and stewardship. It’s clear that good planning and delivering a collaborative approach is not only about the technical aspects to an application but one that is also rooted in local knowledge and how engagement can bring stakeholders and residents together.
Experience and shared learnings
We were delighted to hear from Helen Fadipe MBE, Immediate Past President at the Royal Town Planning Institute who spoke to everyone in the room regarding the importance of building relationships, as collaboration becomes an anchor for growth and investment.
The sentiment of working together can inspire others to grow their careers in the planning sector and to inspire and share learnings across planning authorities.
Small scale, big impact
One of the most salient themes from the symposium was the importance of giving a voice to communities, to local aspirations and the stories that make places unique regardless of the development size.
Tom Rimmington, Architect at JTP stated the importance of not underestimating the smallest of details which can have a largest impact on development. It’s through engagement and communication that relationships are fostered and positive lasting legacies can be enacted.
Seizing opportunities from challenges
With Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon for Hertfordshire, this was an opportunity for planners to learn about lived experiences from other regions who have experienced devolution. Hearing from Ed Whetham, Director at Laxton Properties, the key takeaway to planners in the room was to think about the opportunities before they happen.
Reflecting on his operational experience in Buckinghamshire, this included keeping knowledge local; celebrating local identity; communicating and collaborating; and importantly seeing change as an opportunity to refine and improve working practices.
At the heart of discussions around the room there was a real emphasis on the value of training, guidance and professional development and how planning teams can thrive when collaboration is achieved.
By continuing to communicate with clarity and by working together across boundaries to celebrate the stories that matter, Hertfordshire is certainly reflecting its ambitions to achieve sustainable growth.