Following a call for nominations, elections are now taking place for a number of positions on the RTPI Cymru Management Board for which more than one nomination was received.

Below are the Candidate statements for each of the positions.

The closing date for voting is 5pm Thursday 24th November. Voting will be on-line. If however you do not have the ability to vote online, please contact: wales@rtpi.org.uk. The results of the election will be announced at the RTPI Cymru AGM on 2nd December 2011, at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

JUnior vice chair

To vote for the Junior Vice Chair and the Corporate Positions (see below for Candidate details)  please follow this link.

Mark Harris

I have been planning officer for 20 years and worked across a wide range of planning disciplines including Local Authorities, private sector consultancy and for a National House Builder.  I have been in my current job for just over two years with Bridgend Council as a Regeneration Officer.

This wide range of planning experience allows me to consider planning issues from a variety of angles and is also relevant to the current moves towards more collaborative working between planning and other related sectors. 

I have been a Corporate Member of the Management Board for two years and during this time have also become a member of the Policy and Research Team.  During this time I have had a good attendance record and feel that I have been able to contribute productively to discussion.

I have enjoyed my last two years working for RTPI Cymru and would like to continue this work in the future, in particular the opportunity to do this in a more senior position.

Emma Langmaid

I have been a member of the RTPI since 2002, having completed the accredited MSc in City and Regional Planning at Cardiff University and following my first two years of employment as a development control officer in London. During my time at Cardiff University I spent one year on the then South Wales Board as the student representative, and played a full and active role contributing to the board and also in organising the Young Planners Conference, which came to Cardiff in 1999.

I am passionate about planning and relish the opportunity to be part of the RTPI Cymru management board. These are exciting times for planning in Wales and I would be proud to be a representative ensuring the voice of all planners is heard by the RTPI but also ensuring the voice of RTPI Cymru is heard across all sectors in Wales and in particular when it comes to the development of a new approach to the planning system.

My experience to date is broad ranging and provides me with an excellent understanding and appreciation of the good, the bad and the ugly of the UK and in particular Welsh planning systems! I have experienced development control in a busy London Borough and in rural South Wales authorities including a national park. I have had a short stay in New Zealand mastering a completely new approach to planning, as well as working in two very different multi-disciplinary consultancies as a planning consultant on a huge variety and complexity of projects.

Corporate Positions

There are three postions available. To vote for the Corporate Positions and the Junior Vice Chair, please follow this link.

Allan Archer

With a new Welsh Government and the intention to create new Welsh Planning law and policy, we need more than ever to have an active Institute in Wales and to promote the value of a successful planning profession.

I continue to be optimistic that the Wales Branch can make a practical difference to the support provided by the Institute for the membership in Wales and to the ability of members to influence and contribute more effectively to the future of the planning system in Wales.

I believe that the Branch creates a strong all Wales voice while creating a local focus and identity in the various regions of Wales to support local membership activity.

I will continue to play an active part in the operation of the Branch and sustain the active support and participation of members from all parts of Wales in the year ahead.

Mark Harris

I have been planning officer for 20 years and worked across a wide range of planning disciplines including Local Authorities, private sector consultancy and for a National House Builder.  I have been in my current job for just over two years with Bridgend Council as a Regeneration Officer.

This wide range of planning experience allows me to consider planning issues from a variety of angles and is also relevant to the current moves towards more collaborative working between planning and other related sectors.

I have been a Corporate Member of the Management Board for two years and during this time have also become a member of the Policy and Research Team.  During this time I have had a good attendance record and feel that I have been able to contribute productively to discussion.

I have enjoyed my last two years working for RTPI Cymru and would like to continue this work in the future.

Neil Harris

I have worked over the past decade to ensure that there is an effective link between the activities of RTPI Cymru and Cardiff School of City and Regional Planning. This is an important relationship for many reasons, including ensuring that the University promotes the benefits of membership to its students and maintains a strong profile for the Institute among its activities. I intend to continue the promotion of membership as well as the wider range of activities being carried out by Young Planners Cymru. I have also enjoyed playing a role in shaping the Institute’s activities in Wales, either through supporting its management or contributing to the work of its policy and research forum. I look forward to the opportunity of continuing that work as the Welsh Government embarks on its programme of review and reform of the planning system in Wales.

I have been very pleased with the extent to which an investment by the Institute in its activities in Wales has paid significant dividends, with there now being a continuing programme of events, a clearer ‘voice’ for the Institute in Wales, and a genuine contribution to shaping the planning system in Wales. The Institute is facing difficult times itself in how it resources its activities, yet it needs to continue to support the development of its activities in Wales if it is to be a key player in shaping the planning system in Wales for the better.

Emma Langmaid

I have been a member of the RTPI since 2002, having completed the accredited MSc in City and Regional Planning at Cardiff University and following my first two years of employment as a development control officer in London. During my time at Cardiff University I spent one year on the then South Wales Board as the student representative, and played a full and active role contributing to the board and also in organising the Young Planners Conference, which came to Cardiff in 1999.

I am passionate about planning and relish the opportunity to be part of the RTPI Cymru management board. These are exciting times for planning in Wales and I would be proud to be a representative ensuring the voice of all planners is heard by the RTPI but also ensuring the voice of RTPI Cymru is heard across all sectors in Wales and in particular when it comes to the development of a new approach to the planning system.

My experience to date is broad ranging and provides me with an excellent understanding and appreciation of the good, the bad and the ugly of the UK and in particular Welsh planning systems! I have experienced development control in a busy London Borough and in rural South Wales authorities including a national park. I have had a short stay in New Zealand mastering a completely new approach to planning, as well as working in two very different multi-disciplinary consultancies as a planning consultant on a huge variety and complexity of projects.

Alan Southerby

It’s an exciting time to be a planner in Wales. We have our very own planning act in prospect, a re-focussing on economic well-being and a genuine desire to triumph the virtues of planning. What better time than now to get the most from your professional institute.

On a personal level, I can offer openness and transparency, generosity of spirit and attitude and a realistic, pragmatic and accessible manner.

On a professional level, I am able to draw on over 25 years’ experience in public sector planning, at increasing levels of responsibility and accountability. I have worked in challenging environments and can understand people’s diverse perspectives. I value the contribution that we all make to the process of sustaining our communities.

I would relish the opportunity to interpret members’ interests and to act on your behalf in helping shape how the RTPI Cymru supports our work and endeavours.

Student Representative

Only Student Members of RTPI Cymru may vote for this position. To vote you will need your RTPI number. Please follow this link to vote for the Student Representative: Vote here

Elen Ruth Jenkins

Having been committed for many years to pursuing a career within planning I am currently studying for a degree at Cardiff University and, have previously undertaken a number of placements in the private and public sectors. These have enabled me to expand my knowledge and gain valuable experience. I am currently spending my third year on placement with the Welsh Government’s Planning Division. I was awarded the ‘RTPI Bill Unsworth Memorial Prize 2009/10’ for excellence in examinations and coursework in the first year of the BSC in City and Regional Planning and during the second year of my studies was nominated for the Women in Property Award 2011. I have attended both the Young Planners Conference and the Wales Planning Conference, and drafted a workshop review of the latter, to be published on the RTPI website.

I have been a student member of the RTPI since September 2009, I am now interested in applying to represent students in Wales on the RTPI Cymru Management Board. I have been a student representative on the Young Planners Cymru Steering Group since December 2010. Following my involvement and role with Young Planners Cymru I feel I am able to ensure that planning students in Wales are represented and feel I am approachable and have the ability to raise their concerns. If elected I hope to achieve an insight into how the RTPI in Wales operates; its activities and role in policy formulation. I believe I can contribute to the board by being an active member who will report up to date and pressing issues that are facing students in Wales.

Yvonne Wilday

I am eager to express my interest in being nominated as a Student Member of the RTPI Cymru Management Board.

I have a clear understanding of the needs of current and future students; I feel I can fulfil the role of representing student’s voices on the management board, which is vital to ensure that these needs are met and a good educational base remains in Wales.

I feel the planning sector needs to have a distinctive voice in respect of government legislation and policy to ensure a value-driven, sustainable future built environment with efficient processes and I feel the Management Board can be the stage to develop this.

I am a driven final year BSc City and Regional Planning student at Cardiff University and a student representative for the year group. Within the last year I completed a placement in Development Control for the Vale of Glamorgan Council and have taken an active role in local CPD events. Plus gained further experience in other Local Authorities included Newport (2011) and Cardiff City Councils (2009) and Cornwall Council (2004 and 2007/8). In addition to this, I have participated in leading workshops to encourage pupils into the planning profession through Cardiff University Inspiration Days, plus workshops in schools and careers events with Women in Property which have been involved with since winning their 2010 Student Award for South Wales.

Author:

Roisin Willmott

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

05-Nov-11

Categories:

 

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