Training Programmes

Management Training

University of Cambridge Certificate of Continuing Education (Management Concepts and Skills in Planning)

TRA organises certificated courses on "Management" at the University of Cambridge. Full details can be found under University of Cambridge Certificated Courses

Inter-authority workshops

The programmes of workshops in both England/Wales and in Scotland include events dealing with management concepts and skills for planners. Details can be seen under the programmes for England/Wales and Scotland respectively.

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."