New Chair for RTPI NE

Julian Ringer was elected as the new Chair of RTPI NE at the Annual Meeting on 7 December. Julian takes over from 2009 Chair Mike Mealing, and is supported by Senior Vice Chair Dave Stovell. One of their first jobs is to find someone to stand as Junior Vice Chair; that post not having been filled at the AGM.

Julian told the annual meeting that he intended to focus on two main themes during 2010: “Planning to live with Climate Change” and “Getting a good deal for RTPI NE”.

On Climate Change, Julian has three main targets: professional development, including the CPD event to be held on 24 February; developing partnerships with other professions (through BeConnected) and the universities in the North East; and translating climate change policies into action, such as by preparing at least two extracts for the website.

The second theme, Getting a good deal for RTPI NE, is particularly relevant to the financial crisis in which the RTPI finds itself. Julian echoes the views of his predecessor, Mike Mealing, by expressing frustration at the lack of transparency in some of the RTPI’s dealings between HQ and the regions, and feels strongly that better communications are required, and that the RTPI needs to retain quality through difficult times.

Julian is a chartered planner and environmentalist, who established SEQM (Safety, Environment and Quality Management) Ltd in 1994. As Managing Director he continues to be involved in consultancy and training, and is a registered EMAS verifier for industry and local government.

In his previous life Julian has worked for ERM (latterly as Technical Director), Gateshead Council and Tyne and Wear County Council.

At the AGM Colin Haylock was able to tell the audience that he had just heard that he had been elected as Junior Vice Chair of the RTPI nationally. So far as he knows, he is likely to become the first RTPI President since Thomas Sharp to be based in the North East. If anyone with a long memory would like to contest this claim, we would be pleased to hear from them!

The guest speaker was Kelvin MacDonald, who drew lessons for the future from the last 100 years of planning activity. A full summary of his address will appear on the website in due course. Suffice it to say at this time that Kelvin hoped that we would retain our vision as planners – even if we were not always right! 

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Author:

Kay Lough

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

14-Dec-09

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

Sections:

News & Media

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