Welcome to the Planning Summer School website.

Following our excellent and well attended Summer Schools held in Exeter last September we have been working hard to put together a really exciting programme for York 2010. We already have a number of leading names signed up for both schools:

for the Elected Members’ School on 3-7 September: John Gummer MP, Lord Richard Best, David Lock, Andrew Whitaker, Sir Michael Pitt, Jack Hegarty, Rob Cowan;

and for Planners’ School 7-11 September: Baroness Andrews, Steve Quartermain, Kate Barker, Hugh Ellis, Professors Tim Jackson and Paul Cheshire, Simon Birch.

Our schools comprise a mixture of papers on topical subjects by leading experts, practical workshops offering ‘hands-on’ training, study tours, international presentations, debates and discussions as well as fun, socialising and networking. PSS is where planners can re-invigorate their professional selves and elected members can share experiences and learn from the expertise offered by other members, the PSS team and the range of speakers and workshop leaders provided for them. An exciting innovation this year will be “The Big Debate” where delegates will debate a controversial topic who will be invited to vote on a motion proposed and seconded by leading speakers.

We were delighted to be the winner of the RTPI President’s Award in 2008. The citation for the award commented that ‘The school provides a vital forum for professionals to reflect on the principles and practice of planning. It is at the forefront in providing education and training in line with changing needs, …. with emphasis on training for elected members.’ We pride ourselves on the fact that we provide training ‘by practitioners for practitioners’ as the School is run by a volunteer organisation staffed by planners working (or who have worked) in a whole range of occupations.

On a personal note I am very fortunate to be following Alistair Hackston as President. Alistair has been a stalwart of PSS for many years and I know he will give me tremendous support in this my first year as President. I look forward to York and to seeing many old friends and meeting new ones.

Leonora Rozee OBE

President 2010