Training for Councillors (Scotland)
A Briefing on Planning for Councillors
Our popular general briefing session, aimed especially at Councillors on Planning Committees and Sub Committees, of mixed experience levels. It covers:
- the context of planning (Councillors often become very familiar with detailed aspects of the system and very much appreciate an overview)
- an outline of the legislative framework
- key aspects of the Scottish statutory system in which Councillors are involved, usually focusing on development control and material considerations
- the role of Councillors in the process, in general terms (we have a full session on this topic)
- "tools for the job" i.e. a few key things Councillors need to handle their Committee roles more effectively.
The session consists of an interplay of short presenter briefings, structured interactive case study exercises, discussions and question sessions.
We present a clear picture of the overall framework; but undertake to answer any questions which Councillors put to us about planning and their involvement in it, however detailed or specialist (a pledge we have almost entirely kept!).
This workshop is designed to last a day, roughly between 9.30am and 4.30pm with the usual breaks but the format can be varied. For example, we have run sessions from mid afternoon to mid evening. We do however insist on enough time being allocated to cover the relevant material properly in a user friendly manner; we do not simply come in to deliver a series of set "talks".
We use a variety of techniques, including:
- presentations, supported by visual aids as appropriate
- group discussions/exercises based on pre prepared case studies
- question and answer sessions
- pre-course and course questionnaires
- straightforward course documentation
Our style is structured but informal. Quite a lot of time is spent working in small groups.
The workshop is delivered by two of our presenters.
An extensive client list
TRA has trained Councillors in more than 210 local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales
Feedback from Councillors
"Met my expectations completely, as a planning novice I have learnt a huge amount. After 5 years as a Councillor I have always shied away from planning but after today I shall put my name forward to sub for the committee."
"Beyond my expectations! I have learnt more in a day than in three years on Development Control. If I had been on a course like this three years ago, my expertise would have been greatly enhanced. The mystique attached to Appeals has been dissipated!"
"I was most impressed by the content of the presentation and by the standard of the presentation by both of the presenters. They are obviously very au fait with their area of expertise and both very confident and polished in their presentation."
CLG endorses TRA's position on the role of Councillors
The CLG Committee looking into Labour Shortage and Skills Gaps in Planning published its final report in July 2008. TRA made a number of responses to the questions asked by the Committee about officer training and the skills of Councillors and the Committee was particularly interested in what we had to say on the role of Councillors and the wider principle of democratic accountability. Indeed, the Committee noted that TRA had “best grasped the essential importance of the principle of democratic accountability” when we stated that:
"The role of the planning officer is to provide an objective analysis of the issues in a clear and succinct way, so that the decision maker can make an informed decision…the Councillor needs to be able to have an appreciation of what is proposed but also be able to ask difficult questions in order to test the robustness of the recommendation…The system rests on the basis that the technical specialist can be challenged by a non-specialist, so that there are checks and balances and that the decisions being made reflect the needs and desires of the wider community."
