Most of you are probably considering where to go on holiday over the next few weeks at least for those of you still employed or recently retired, of which there appear to be an ever increasing number, have a great holiday. I am sure you will feel a great piece of mind and derive much comfort from the knowledge that many of the Region’s officers will be at their desks over the holiday period.

Some of you who check your e:mails from Kay will be aware that the Institute prepared and published a ‘manifesto for planning’ and we have now had a chance to review the publication and to make comments. Thanks to Richard Arkell and the team who worked on the consultation. A number of us have adopted a favourite phrase or comment from the document my particular favourite is ‘horizon scanning’ it has for me a nautical intonation.

Thank you to our Regional treasurer, Graham Garnham, and to Kay for safeguarding the regional finances and for keeping us within budget, not an easy task in these testing conditions. Steve France who has managed the CPD programme, the main contributor to income, has delivered a great programme on time and on budget, so thanks to Steve and to his team.
The average age of the Region’s committee is high when compared to the average age of the wider population; an indicator that planners do live longer, which is perhaps why they decided to take an interest in planning in the first place. Following great resistance from the old guard it is with a heavy heart that I must confess that we have identified a young person to be the Regional chair in 2012, step up Joe Ridgeon. This news of young people taking a major role in regional affairs is coloured by the loss of John Sturzaker to the north west of England, a big loss, not least because he is also relatively young and extremely active in regional affairs.

For the first time we had a Great North public debate. A discussion on climate change in the form of the BBC’S Question Time, took place at Gateshead Town Hall Thursday June 17. With climate change making headlines daily, RTPI North East, RIBA, RICS and ICE came together under the Chairmanship of Professor Chris Kilsby from Newcastle University. Our representative, who was captivating, was Jed Griffiths who has accepted an invitation to join us for the annual dinner on Friday October 8th.
I reported last time that there have been some changes to our meeting arrangements, one of our regular meetings is held in a local pub or at least it was until we had to compete with karaoke night. For new members of committees, and there are many, most of our meetings are still bewildering but we are working hard to make them more user friendly, the creation of regional guide may help. I am delighted to inform you that a commercially focused group of planning students have taken on the contract to create the regional operations manual. At least the next chair may have a better idea of how everything works. If you would like to know more then please contact me.

Kevin Lillie at PAN is still seeking volunteers, particularly from Corporate members, so if you would like to consider this option please contact Kevin on 0191 222 5776. He recently planned and delivered a workshop for volunteers in Newcastle and managed to attract the RTPI President and the Director of Professional Services from London. As always he was supported by his excellent team of Chris, Debbie, Glenn, Shaun and other volunteers.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any specific queries.

Best wishes

Julian Ringer

Regional Chairman

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Author:

Kay Lough

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

02-Sep-10

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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