YPwestmids 

is the new name for the sub-group attached to the RTPI West Midlands Region which aims to provide a forum within which aspiring young planners in the region can develop their interest in planning. 

As young planners ourselves, we feel that we have a very important role to play in promoting planning to people during all stages of their careers. We have previously run a number of successful events, and over the next year we aim to provide: -
· A point of contact to Young planners of the West Midlands;
· Presentations at Universities of the role of planning;
· Support for the RTPI Ball 2008
· Social events - drinks nights, bbq’s, pub quizzes etc in locations across the West Midlands.
· A seminar on a topic of interest in planning
· Launch of a competition to design our new logo;
· And many more activities!

We are also pleased to announce our new email address ypwestmids@googlemail.com This email address has been set up as a point of reference for the group and we would welcome and be pleased to respond to any enquiries you may have. Please send us an email if you would like to be updated on future social events organised by our group or if you would like to be involved with the running of our group. 

The core organisational members of our group are as follows: -

Name: John Somers MPIA

Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Chair – Lead contact for the YPwestmids, Represents YPwestmids at the RTPI regional meetings.

Employer and Role
· Planning Officer, Policy and Urban Design, Wolverhampton City Council, 2007-
· Planning Officer Development Control, Wolverhampton City Council 2006-2007
· Statutory Planning Officer, Cardinia Shire Council, Pakenham, Australia –2005-2006
· Student Urban Planner, Hassel Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia –Aug 2004 – Dec 2004
· Student Statutory and Strategic Planning Officer, Glen Eira City Council, Caulfield Australia –, Mar 2004 – Jul 2004

Experience with Australian and UK planning systems, and has experience with mediation and full tribunal hearings, development briefs, planning advice, experience in major and minor assessment of residential, industrial, commercial, community service and open space applications, completion of SPD Open Space, Sports and Recreation, writing of guidance note on Smoking Shelters.

Education
Bachelor Social Science (planning)(Hons), RMIT University, Melbourne Australia 2001-2005
Corporate Member of Planning Institute of Australia

Experience in RTPI activities
Involved with YPwestmids since July 2007.

Interests in Planning
Planning policy, planning law, urban renewal, regeneration, social and affordable housing, open space, sustainability.

Name: Tim Webb

Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Secretary & Treasurer – (Producing Meeting Agendas/Minutes / Monitoring Group Budget / Drafting content for group material).

Employer and Role
Graduate Planner, GVA Grimley (2005-)
Work Experience Placements at Cardiff Council (2005), Advantage West Midlands (2003), Solihull MBC (2000)
Licentiate Member of the RTPI

Tim has gained a variety of planning experience working for public and private sector clients, tasks including:

Advising on and Submitting Planning Applications and other land use applications
Planning Policy Site Appraisals
Planning Due Diligence Work
Assisting the Project Management of Development Projects
Making representations to emerging development plans
Development/Regeneration site identification
Planning policy and development updates
Preparing Maps and Photos Plans using a variety of software
Numerous planning related research jobs
Education
MSc Planning, Practice and Research, Cardiff University, 2004-2005.
BA (Hons) Geography, University of Nottingham, 2001-2004.

Interests in Planning
Planning and development.

Name: Joe Turner

Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Universities Liaison Officer – Liaison with universities and planning schools (student and staff) in the region; promotion of events.

Employer and Role
Planner, Turley Associates, Birmingham 2007-
Planning Officer, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, 2001-2007
Licentiate Member of the RTPI

Extensive experience of handling major planning applications in both public and private sectors – including negotiation of planning obligations and affordable housing provision – across a wide variety of development sectors including residential, commercial, leisure and education.Education
MA Town Planning, London South Bank University, 2002-2006.
BSocSc (Joint Hons) Geography & Planning, University of Birmingham 1997-2000.

Experience in RTPI activities
Involved in YPwestmids activities since 2007.

Interests in Planning
Listed buildings and heritage; sustainability; affordable housing; education.

Name: Andrew Morgan MRTPI

Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Assistant Events Organiser – Working with other committee members of YPwestmids to plan and deliver social evenings, meetings and other activities.

Employer and Role
Planner, Atisreal Ltd, Birmingham, 2006 - Present
Assistant Planning Officer, Birmingham City Council, 2005-2006
Chartered Member of the RTPI

Through working for both Birmingham City Council and Atisreal UK, Andrew has good experience of the following areas:

Negotiation in pre-application discussions, from both public and private sector perspectives
Project management experience; managing major planning applications on behalf of key corporate clients
Assessing and determining planning applications
Development Plan Monitoring
Submission of representations to LDF development plans on behalf of clients
Planning Policy Site Appraisals
Securing new instructions from both new and existing clients
Education
Chartered status granted by RTPI in 2007
Diploma in Town and Regional Planning, University of Sheffield, 2003-2004
BA (Hons), Urban Studies and Planning, University of Sheffield, 2000-2003

Experience in RTPI activities
Involved in YPwestmids activities since 2006.

Name:Jo Hooper
Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Events and Sponsorship Co-ordinator.
Employer and Role
Assistant Planner, King Sturge, since September 2005

Advising public and private sector clients in terms of appraisals, applications and representations.Education
MSc Spatial Planning , Oxford Brookes University
BA (Hons) Geography, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Experience in RTPI activities
Involved in YPwestmids activities since 2005. Member of Young Planners' Network Steering Group at national level since 2005, which has involved helping to organise the Annual Young Planners' Conferences and I have been the Editor of the Young Planners' Page in Planning magazine since January 2007.
Interests in Planning
Urban regeneration, sustainability.

Name:Caroline Hedger
Title and role/responsibilities within YPwestmids
Membership Officer
Employer and Role
Senior Transport Planner, JMP Consulting, Lichfield, 2006 – Present
Transport Planner, JMP Consulting, Lichfield, 2003 - 2006
Member of the Institution of Highways and Transportation
RTPI Licentiate

Working as part of JMP’s Highways Agency Call-on Consultancy team for the Spatial Planning Framework Commission, which is responsible for assessing the impact of developments on the Midlands trunk road network.
Writing and auditing Travel Plans and Transport Assessments.
Reviewing Development Plans and providing representations on behalf of the Highways Agency.
Leading the ‘Influencing Travel Behaviour Programme’ for the West Midlands as part of the Highways Agency Commission. This involves developing Area Travel Plans for appropriate sites as a way of encouraging people to change their travel habits and reduce single occupancy vehicles.

Education
MA Town Planning , University of Central England
BSocSc (Joint Hons) Town Planning & Social Policy, University of Birmingham
Experience in RTPI activities
Involved in YPwestmids activities since 2007.
Interests in Planning
Sustainability, transport (in particular Travel Planning), responding to climate change, regional issues, regeneration.

From left to right John Somers, Joe Turner, Tim Webb, Caroline Hedger & Jo Hooper at the YPwestmids launch event at All-Bar-One in Brindleyplace Birmingham on 15/11/07

Next YPwestmids event 

Thursday 24 January 2008 at 6-7pm

CPD event "Tall stories - the pros and cons of tall buildings in Birmingham" at offices of DLA Piper, Victoria House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4DL

Followed by drinks & finger buffet on the indoor balcony at The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham B2 5NY

For more information contact ypwestmids@googlemail.com 

To book click here

Author:

Sue Griffith-Jones

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

22-Oct-07

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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