Spring Summit 2026

Welcome to the Spring Summit, where we’ll be bringing together the public and private sector to contribute to our movement to support and improve public sector planning. We’ll be meeting to share insights, discuss the pressing issues facing planning, and workshop solutions that can be delivered by the Planning Alliance.

Date
Thursday 19 March

Time
12pm - 4pm

Location
Dentons, 1 Fleet Place, City

Included
WiFi, lunch, coffee and teas, snacks

Agenda

  • Arrival and light lunch including sandwiches and drinks

  • Rob Bristow, Chair of the Planning Alliance and Director of Planning and Growth at Lambeth Council will kick-off the Summit

  • Planning Alliance Board Members and planning leaders will share their insights on the state of the sector, including views from MHCLG, Planning Advisory Service, Planning Officers Society, London Property Alliance, British property Federation, and Home Builders Federation

  • Jamie Ounan will lead a discussion “From Service to System - Planning Leadership at the Top Table”

    Planning is not just a statutory service. Iit is a strategic system-shaping function. This keynote explores how planners can step confidently into senior leadership roles, shaping place, growth, and governance alongside chief executives, politicians, and investors, and make quick progress to meet the economic and housing challenges facing the country. Through a facilitated discussion, we’ll examine what it takes to lead in complexity, influence across boundaries, and re-position planning as a core engine of public value.

    Featuring

    • Niall Bolger (former Chief Exec of Hounslow Council)

    • Sarah Scannell (Head of Planning for Islington Council)

    • Caroline Harper (MD of BeFirst)

    • Jamie Ounan, Chair

  • In the first part of the Workshops, we will focus on delving into the issues, challenges, and identifying solutions

    • Workshop A: LGR and Leadership in the new, large-scale unitary planning authorities

    •  Workshop B: Achieving culture change and efficiency in planning services

    •  Workshop C: Digital disruption and planning - distinguishing the useful from the hype

  • In the second part of the Workshops, we will focus on delivering solutions and how this gets done.

    • Workshop A: LGR and Leadership in the new, large-scale unitary planning authorities

    • Workshop B: Achieving culture change and efficiency in planning services

    • Workshop C: Digital disruption and planning - distinguishing the useful from the hypeWe'll end the day with a closing circle before campers head home for the evening.

  • We’ll start wrapping up by sharing what we learned in the breakout sessions and the opportunities for taking them forward.

  • Our Chair will close the afternoon with final thoughts and what the Planning Alliance will do next.

Where to Find Us

You can find Dentons office in the heart of the City, close to City Thameslink station and Chancery Lane Underground.

1 Fleet Pl, London EC4M 7WS

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register

Register

  • Yes, we welcome those that are Members and non-Members to join us. We also encourage you to bring a young person in your organisation so that they may engage with leaders in the sector!

  • No, we are expanding the attendees for our Spring Summit to include people and organisations beyond our membership. After the Summit, we hope you’ll join our movement.

  • You can attend the whole or just part of the day.

  • Yes! The strength of the Planning Alliance is in our ability to connect people that share a passion for planning and improving the sector. There will be many opportunities to meet people or reconnect with colleagues before, during, and after the session.