Regional Award for Council’s Planning Newsletter

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has awarded Pendle Council a commendation for its planning policy newsletter, Framework.

The newsletter helps to keep local people and partner organisations informed about emerging planning policy and progress on the new Local Development Framework in Pendle.

The Award recognises outstanding achievements in planning by individuals and organisations that have made a special contribution to England's Northwest.

It was presented to Planning & Building Control Manager Neil Watson and Principal Planning Officer John Halton at the RTPI's North West AGM, held at the offices of international law firm Eversheds in Manchester, on Friday 4th December 2009.

Mike Eastham, Awards Coordinator, said:

"The Judging Panel was impressed by the refreshing, jargon-free approach that Pendle are advocating. The teamwork, collaboration with other professionals and quality of consultation with the local community are to be commended."

Principal Planning Officer John Halton, who is the editor of Framework, explained:

"In the three years since Framework was launched, we have received lots of positive feedback, which is very unusual for planners!

"That's why we entered the awards - but we never expected to win one!

"On the face of it, Framework is nothing special; it's just a newsletter produced by a small team of planning officers using a Microsoft Word template.

"And we were competing alongside much bigger and more expensive projects entered by larger local authorities and private planning consultancies.

 "I think Framework is so well received because articles are deliberately kept short and to the point and written in Plain English.

"As well as news items, we include short features to help people gain a better understanding of some of the complex issues we are trying to deal with.

"And if people want to know more, they are encouraged to get in touch with us. "

Claire Tulloch, who works in the Council's Communications Team and encourages staff to write in Plain English, is delighted about her colleagues' success. She said:

"We have been training Council staff in the use of Plain English for a couple of years now.

"It's brilliant that the planning team's hard work is being recognised. They worked really hard to get across quite complex planning information in a clear way.

"I'm very proud of their achievement."

Leader of the Council John David said:

"Planning issues are often very complex, but are relevant to everyone in Pendle.

"The beauty of Framework is that it helps to explain complicated issues as simply as possible.

"And we know that it is effective - people have told us that they have been encouraged to take part in consultations as a direct result of reading an article in Framework.

"A big congratulations to everyone for their first-rate efforts."

To read the latest copy of Framework, visit www.pendle.gov.uk/framework or call John Halton on (01282) 661330 to request a copy.