New housing and planning spokesperson announced

The County Councils Network has appointed a new housing a planning spokesperson: Cllr Tim Oliver, the leader of Surrey County Council.

He takes over from Cllr Philip Atkins, who stepped down from his role as leader of Staffordshire County Council last year.

Cllr Oliver takes over at an important time – with the government outlining new reforms in the planning system in a white paper, and the County Councils Network having recently released a report on strategic planning.

Read the network’s response to the Planning For The Future white paper consultation here.

Cllr Tim Oliver, housing and planning spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said:

“I’m delighted to be named the County Councils Network’s spokesperson for housing and planning. It is without doubt that housebuilding continues to be one of the government’s key agendas and as such we know ministers have big plans to reform the planning system and infrastructure financing.

“It is imperative that the county voice is heard and I look forward to working with colleagues across the country making the case for a more formal role for county councils in strategic planning, securing a much fairer distribution of infrastructure funding, and highlighting the views of our unitary member councils as the government takes forward its reforms to the planning system.”