Delivering planning change in a time of uncertainty: PAS Chief Planners Conference, Leicester

I’m really looking forward to joining colleagues at City Hall, Leicester for the PAS Chief Planners Conference this week. I’ll be on the Plenary: Roadmap to Reform and then helping to facilitate workshops across both days as we get practical about delivery. If you’re attending, please come say hello..pdf)

Where to find me

• Plenary (Day 1, 11:15): Roadmap to Reform with voices from POS, PINS and MHCLG — we’ll tackle what must happen next (not just what should happen) as reforms intensify.
• Workshops (both days): I’ll be supporting sessions on Strategic Planning, Local Plans in a two‑system world, Development Management reforms, and the Digital Revolution — all designed to be hands‑on, focused on what you can take back to your organisation on Monday.

A quick preview from my plenary deck: five headlines for the months ahead

1. Re‑wiring the system during LGR & devolution
   Two‑tier to unitary aggregation, the (re)emergence of strategic planning geographies, and the need to design digital/data foundations as you merge.
2. A high‑risk, accelerated timeline
   Mobilise now; vesting day readiness; and the implications of extended “pre‑mayor” shadow working for SDS alignment through to 2028.
3. Keep Local Plans moving
   Run the “two‑system helix” without losing momentum; create clarity on LDS, evidence and cross‑boundary fit with emerging SDS.
4. Performance through transition
   Protect DM performance (and housing delivery) with live dashboards, clear integration roadmaps and corporate‑level risk management.
5. Governance, delegation & digital first
   Stand up a planning transition PMO; modernise committees/delegation; and run targeted AI/data pilots during transition so they’re embedded, not bolted on later.

PAS SDS Readiness Guide – landing next week

For those gearing up for strategic planning, watch out for the PAS SDS Readiness Guide that we’ve been developing with colleagues — due to publish next week. I’ve been supporting PAS on this (alongside recent advisory work), and it’s designed as a practical “get started, move fast, stay safe” toolkit. In the meantime, PAS’s earlier Top Tips for SDS Readiness set out the trajectory.

New four‑partner Strategic Planning Partnership (SPP)

Catriona Riddell, Richard Wood, Bev Hindle and I have formalised a senior‑level consortium to help places stand up SDS and wider strategic planning programmes at pace. Our difference: governance & foundations first, blended/embedded delivery, and capability‑building so your team accelerates rather than gets overloaded.

What we help with quickly and safely: governance set‑up and dependency mapping; “start‑up challenge” and check‑and‑challenge at gateways; member training and officer coaching; digital/data alignment; investment/infrastructure integration — all sequenced to your place and politics.

Why this moment matters

Between LGR, devolution and the return of strategic planning, this is a window to design the future service not just to survive transition. Planning isn’t a back office re‑org; it’s the engine for housing delivery, infrastructure credibility and spatially‑literate devolution. Let’s use 2026 to set the governance, performance, people and data foundations that endure beyond vesting day.

If you’re in Leicester, grab me after the plenary or in the workshops. If you’re not, drop me a DM, happy to share materials and compare notes on readiness, resourcing and sequencing.

#PASChiefPlanners #StrategicPlanning #SDS #LGR #Devolution #LocalPlans #DigitalPlanning #AIinPlanning #PlaceLeadership #PlanningReform