It's the start of a new academic year for many, and we hope everyone has settled in well. Here at PAS, we have now welcomed all of our recruits into their new roles and are working hard to deliver this year's programme of work.

Work on the PAS Annual Conference is progressing well. Make sure to book your space, as we do tend to fill up quickly. This conference is exclusively for local government planning chiefs.

Please also check out the first in a new series of 'In conversation with', this month we discuss localised planning fees.

Anna Rose

Planning Leadership Essentials are back, filling up fast and with an extra date!

With our LGA colleagues, we are delivering a limited number of residential councillor training courses. These are two-day residential courses delivered in person at Warwick Conference and the cost is heavily subsidised to only £100!

Leadership essentials: Local plans leaders

Two courses for leaders and portfolio holders whose authorities are making a plan under the current plan system and aiming to submit their plan by December 2026. If you are aiming to submit your plan under the present planning system your lead councillor should be on one of these sessions. The courses focus on the role of plan leaders in working with their officers to lead the production, submission and adoption of their local plan.

• 23 and 24 October 2025
• 22 and 23 November 2025

A new course for leaders and portfolio holders whose authorities will be submitting under the new plan system in 2027.

• 10 and 11 March 2026

Leadership essentials: Planning committee chairs

Two courses for planning committee chairs and vice chairs. All chairs and vice chairs are welcome, particularly new and less experienced chairs.

• 8 and 9 November 2025 (weekend)
• 20 and 21 November 2025

For more details and to sign up visit the PAS website or contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk to book a place.

New round of Pathways to Planning recruitment

Pathways to Planning is a graduate recruitment programme which has delivered more than 200 new planners to more than 100 local planning authorities since its launch in 2023. In October 2025, the programme is expanding to help councils fill different roles within the built environment professions, including surveying as well as planning. The Pathways to Planning team will be running two virtual events where you can learn more about the funding and support you could gain for job roles in your council.

To book onto a session please follow the links below:

• Wednesday 8 October, 11.00am-12.00pm
• Thursday 6 November, 2.00pm-3.00pm

PAS working with ODP

PAS are now working with the Open Digital Planning community. Supported by MHCLG, the ODP is community of forward-thinking Local Planning Authorities working together to shape a more efficient, data-driven planning system. LPAs can apply to the Digital Planning Improvement Fund by 30 October 2025 to be included in the next cohort, to start your digital planning improvement journey in February 2026.

Understanding NSIPs: a briefing for local councillors

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (or NSIPs) are large-scale infrastructure developments such as solar farms, major roads, electricity transmission lines and power stations. They are decided through a centralised planning process, separate from local planning applications - but local authorities still play a crucial role in shaping outcomes and representing community interests.

This briefing for elected members will explain how the NSIP regime works, what it means for your role and how you can work with your officers to engage effectively.

Hear from experienced local authority colleagues and planning professionals, with time for Q&A and practical advice on how to prepare and respond.

The briefing will be held online 10.00am-12.00pm on Friday 10 October. Register via our Eventbrite page

Regional Design and Place Shaping Networks - there's still authorities not accessing theirs!

The regional Design and Place Shaping Networks go from strength to strength with over 60 percent of local and combined authorities in England engaged, with some regions having all the authorities in their region engaged, but there are still some authorities who are not accessing their networks!

These free networks for urban designers and planners are great opportunities to access information, support and advice around placemaking and design through an online network and regular remote and in person meeting.

If your local or combined authority hasn't yet joined your network information can be found on our website about the networks and how to join

Nature Recovery Insights Report now live!

The new report Insights on Local Government Delivery of Nature Recovery has gone live. It is the output of research undertaken between autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 to better understand the barriers to and opportunities for action by local authorities on nature recovery with a focus on:

a. the key conditions that enable action

b. understanding and engagement by senior management and members

c. the relationship between local authorities and Natural England.

Watch this space for related events and support to follow.

Anna Rose in conversation... Anna & Martin Hutchings talk localised planning fees

This is the first of a new series of conversations between Anna Rose, Head of Planning Advisory Service (PAS) and the PAS consultants delivering each part of this year's programme. This recording is of the conversation between Anna and Martin Hutchings about his work on the PAS project supporting the Government's implementation of localised planning fees via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Chief Planners Conference

PAS will be hosting the Annual Conference for Chief Planners on 26-27 February 2026. The conference sessions will be held at City Hall in Leicester.

The conference will focus on delivering change in a time of uncertainty with the agenda to include high-profile guest speakers, a walking tour around the city and a choice of workshops. We will cover the food for both days and accommodation for the Thursday evening. This event is for local authority Chief Planners only.

Places are limited so book early to reserve your ticket

Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - Best Practice Guidance Refresh

MHCLG are intending to refresh the Section 215 powers best practice guidance which accompanies the Town and Country Planning Act legislation and they would like recent examples where councils have used Section 215 powers to improve their local area. If you have any examples, please email asbunit@communities.gov.uk

MHCLG will be setting up a small working group with interested councils to discuss any changes which might be helpful. The team would also be interested to hear of challenges that local authorities have in utilising or enforcing these powers.

Please contact james.alexander@local.gov.uk if you are interested in being involved in the working group.

Khub posts

• CIL question (help) - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS) - Knowledge Hub
• CIL Indexation for Reserved Matter (RM) permission - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS) - Knowledge Hub
• Resumption of a retail use - CIL liability - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS) - Knowledge Hub