Training Programmes

Workshops

Workshops are TRA's major method of training delivery. They involve limited size groups (usually a maximum of 20 people) under the direction of one of our team of presenters. Workshops are participatory, involving discussion, exercises and case study consideration as well as key input by the presenters themselves. All our presenters are not only experienced practitioners but also good at getting material across in a "user friendly" manner.

For further information on any of the events below, please click on the relevant link.

Updates and Conferences

Professional Updates and Conferences are open to a larger number of participants than workshops (usually up to 130) and have a range of speakers. They usually incorporporate parallel sessions for smaller groups, and always involve opportunities for questions and discussion. They run to a structured yet relatively informal format and are an excellent opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments and to exchange experience with colleagues in the field.

For further details of any of the events below, please click on the link.

An extensive programme

The 2012 programme covers a wide range of topics with 18 different events to choose from including 5 brand new workshops:

• Advertisement Control
• Being an Effective Witness at Inquiries
• Managing in Planning Today: achieving more from less
• Sustainable Development by Design
• Introducing and Making Best Use of the Community Infrastructure Levy

Useful downloads

Summary of the 2012 programme

2012 discounted block booking form

2012 general booking form

Block booking discount

For 2012, we are continuing to offer our popular discounted block booking scheme recently made even more attractive by the reduction in bookings required to qualify for a discount. If you book two or more places at the same time (spread over any number of events) you will receive a discount of between 10 and 15%, depending on the total number of places booked. In most cases this means that you will be paying less per workshop than in 2010. Not only does the scheme offer great value for money, it also provides an opportunity to arrange your training for 2012 all in one go.

Bookings should ideally be made using our special block booking form

Participant comments

Click on any event title to see more details and feedback comments from people who have attended the workshop previously.

Featured workshop

Introducing and Making Best Use of the Community Infrastructure Levy (NEW)

The Government has made it clear that CIL is to be a key tool in the provision of infrastructure needed for development; it will replace the use of planning obligations under s106 in many instances. The aim of this brand new workshop is to provide those involved in establishing and using a Levy system with a thorough understanding of the legislation and its requirements. It will look at the evolution of CIL and practice to date in order to provide guidance for those officers tasked with introducing CIL as part of a Local Development Framework or producing a Charging Schedule and having it declared sound. It will also offer advice on implementation to secure developer contributions.

In-house training

All of the workshops featured in the 2012 programme can be delivered on an in-house basis for an individual authority (or group of authorities). Please contact Angela Holmes for further information. Details of other in-house training options available can be found on the following pages:

• In-house training in Development Management, including Enforcement
• In-house training for Planning Support Staff
• In-house training for Planning Policy Staff
• In-house training on Inquiries/Examinations
• In-house training on Urban Design
• In-house Management Development workshops

• In-house briefings on Planning for other Local Government Staff

Planning Admin Network

The Planning Admin Network (PAN) was established in 2006 and is co-ordinated by TRA. PAN is open to anyone who is interested in the way in which the planning process is administered in England, Scotland and Wales, in both the public and private sectors.

PAN provides a convenient way for its members to contact each other and share their experiences, issues and problems etc and to get regular, up-to-date information about developments in the planning world. As you might expect, the majority of members are working in planning support roles but anyone involved in planning is welcome to join. The network functions via a website: www.planningadminnetwork.co.uk.     Key features include:

• an interactive Discussion forum
• a News page, which is circulated to members on a monthly basis
• a Training Events Calendar
• a Useful Links page.

Membership of PAN is absolutely FREE. The registration process is quick and easy via the above website; all you need is your e-mail address and preferred username and password.

Certificated Course in Planning Enforcement

This certificated modular training course for staff involved in planning enforcement, originally developed in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, has been specifically designed to meet the needs of planning enforcement staff and their employers, who are seeking tangible recognition for their training achievements.