Planning Training for Councillors?

I have often remarked about the complexity of the planning system and the decision making process.   Councillors face many challenges since they often have have to make quite complex and difficult decisions balancing competing and conflicting demands.   With the forthcoming elections approaching and several councillors stepping down it is reasonable to assume that there may be several 'newbies' on Highland planning committees who may need insight into the system.   Perhaps, even those who may find themselves re-elected and back on planning committees may find a 'refresher course' useful.  

I came across one firm recently who do offer training courses to Elected Members.

According to their web site here:


'Trevor Roberts Associates is the leading UK provider of practitioner-based training for Councillors involved in planning, with an extensive track record of positive results...' 


'... the basic course formats on offer (are). 

• A Briefing on Planning for Councillors
• The Role of Councillors in Planning : Propriety and Good Practice
• Briefings on specific aspects of planning
• Dealing with Planning Applications for National and Major Developments

All courses are set up specifically for individual authorities, so we can emphasise specific aspects as required: 



On a separate page there is a list of  'Authorities in Scotland where TRA has conducted in-house training for Councillors involved in planning'.  (Link here) 

Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Dundee City Council Edinburgh City Council Falkirk Council Glasgow City Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council I wonder what THC does in terms of councillor training? The work that PAS does notwithstanding in an ideal world maybe members of community councils with responsibilities for planning would sit alongside councillors at these courses to ensure a standardisation of information inputs.   In an even more ideal world perhaps more courses could be available to all at a very reasonable cost?

Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council West Lothian Council