Greater Cambridge Shared Planning equips Parish Clerks for success

Continuing with its commitment to engaging with communities, on 17 April 2024, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning hosted, "Unlocking the Potential of Your Parish: How the Planning Team Can Support You as a Parish Clerk," at the South Cambridgeshire Hall Council Chamber. Attended by around 50 Parish Clerks, with additional participation via Teams, the event aimed to empower clerks with essential tools and knowledge to navigate planning requirements effectively.

Some of the positive feedback received after the event included:

“Thank you for the event which you kindly hosted. I found it very useful and informative.” 

“It was very informative, and I came away with a lot of information to pass onto my Council.” 

“I found the sessions both enlightening and very informative, thanks to your colleagues; such a nice, professional bunch!”

Greater Cambridge Shared Planning strives to provide opportunities, and make it as simple as possible, for all individuals to become involved in the planning process. By involving communities from the earliest stage, they can help to make a difference and, crucially, feel a sense of understanding and ownership of local planning decisions.

The event provided an invaluable platform for Parish Clerks to gain insights, resources, and support from the expert planning team. With a focus on education, empowerment, and fostering effective communication, the event delivered on its objectives to:

• Educate: Parish Clerks gained insights into the latest planning regulations and guidelines.

• Empower: Practical tools and strategies were shared.

• Clarify Responsibilities: Parish Clerks had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their duties in relation to planning matters.

• Facilitate Communication: The event fostered open dialogue and networking opportunities.

The agenda featured informative sessions covering various aspects of the planning process. Charlene Harper led a demonstration on Consultation and Public Access, providing practical insights into engaging with stakeholders effectively. Toby Williams and Rebecca Smith discussed material considerations, highlighting the importance of balancing diverse interests in the planning process. Peter Maddock from South Cambridgeshire District Council provided valuable insights into the Precept Process, shedding light on financial considerations in planning decisions.

Additional sessions explored Compliance, Planning Policy, Trees, Biodiversity Net Gain, and Conservation, providing comprehensive coverage of key topics. The event concluded on a positive note, sharing uplifting news stories and inspiring examples of successful community initiatives.

By empowering Parish Clerks, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning is committed to supporting vibrant and thriving communities across the region.

Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council, commented:

"It was wonderful to see so many Parish Clerks engaging with Greater Cambridge Shared Planning at the event "Unlocking the Potential of Your Parish: How the Planning Team Can Support You as a Parish Clerk.

"This is a continuing story of how the Planning Authority is reaching out to and working with the local community, as stated in its recently published updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

"Parish Clerks are at the coal-face of helping their community representatives engage when  new developments are proposed, so to have a day where they could learn about the planning balance and meet planners face to face enabled them to understand the process and gain insights into the planning system. 

We look forward to many more of these types of events in the future to ensure continued collaborative working with our communities.”