Single head of planning at Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils

Discussions held with senior officers at the councils over several months, have led to the decision to combine the already shared but separate service areas of Planning Development and Planning Policy under one new role at Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils.

The planning functions will come together under a single Assistant Director of Planning to lead the combined planning and place-shaping agenda within both councils. While the councils have at different times in the past had a single head of planning, this has not been the case for both, for some time.

The move is timely, as the Government's focus is now clearly on the role planning needs to play in shaping housing and economic growth. It also brings the council into line with the other 91% of local authorities that have a single head of planning.

Claire Upton-Brown, who has been in the role of Assistant Director of Planning Development across both councils since March 2023, moved into this role on the 19 August. Claire was previously Director of Planning, Regeneration and Economy at New Forest District Council and before that Chief Planning Officer.

Strategic Director for Housing, Communities and Environment, Julian Higson said: "A single head of planning provides a number of benefits that positively impact, influence, shape and grow all strategic corporate decisions. Bringing these two areas of planning together, will mean that we'll be better able to respond to the new government. It will allow us to plan for positive growth. Claire is a brilliant leader who is passionate about making Guildford and Waverley fantastic places to live, work and do business. I'm delighted that she has accepted this appointment."  

Recent research carried out about by the Royal Town Planning Institute clearly demonstrates that a single head of planning provides a number of benefits that help improve strategic decision-making and delivery. It provides effective leadership, vision and priority setting for corporate decisions on new investment, infrastructure, development activity, local services and policy delivery.

The new structure at Guildford and Waverley began on Monday 19 August, with interim arrangements being put in place to create operational heads for Development Management.

Guildford Borough Council Lead Councillor for Planning, Councillor Fiona White, said:
"There is a critical need to bring the planning function together to ensure that we can deliver on all the challenging planning agendas.

"An effective planning department plays a crucial role in delivering a local authority's corporate objectives alongside wider policy goals. By bringing these functions together, we'll be able to ensure that we continue to deliver more sustainable boroughs. Boroughs that are shaped by high-quality decision-making that supports placemaking, housing and economic growth, and helps our diverse communities to thrive."

Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Liz Townsend, said:
"Claire brings a huge amount of experience to this joint role and will bring strong and strategic leadership to the combined planning policy and planning development functions at this time of wide-ranging changes in national planning policy. We want our borough to thrive and planning plays a critical part in that aim. It is more important than ever that we have joined up approach to planning and work more closely together.

"This will ensure a holistic overview of infrastructure, environmental, social and economic outcomes for current and future generations."