Transformation and Moderation of Place-shaping Services and Strategic Change

Connect with fellow development and regeneration professionals at this online event, focusing on the transformation and modernisation of place-shaping services amidst the evolving landscape of local governance. This event will feature insights from Jan Britton and Paul Patterson, who will share their expertise on strategic change and innovative approaches to service delivery.

Paul Patterson will address the challenges in housing and regeneration due to slow economic growth, discussing how councils can adopt new strategic thinking to become effective enablers of development. He will explore ways to attract limited government funding, create strategic partnerships, and build confidence among developers and investors.

Jan Britton will discuss the importance of a cohesive vision for place-shaping services, moving away from fragmented functions to a unified approach. He will share his experiences in strengthening services, reducing costs, and aligning with corporate transformation programs, while also enhancing engagement with local partners.

Event Details

Topic: Transformation and Moderation of Place-shaping Services and Strategic Change
Date: Wednesday 6th November
Time: 16:00 – 17:00
Location: Microsoft Teams (details shared after registering)
Registration: Sign up here to secure your free spot

The Talks

Building Confidence: Council Roles in Housing and Economic Revival with Paul Patterson

The UK has seen slow growth in housing and regeneration over recent years – a result of low economic growth more widely which has affected viability and developer confidence. It has led to some developers and investors reducing their activity and seeing councils having the viability solution. Alongside, Housing Associations are facing increasing reinvestment spending on exiting stock to meet net zero and the new Consumer Standards. This has seen Section 106 affordable RP acquisitions triggering mixed tenure housing developments to stall, from the planning Section 106 obligations.

There is an expectation that the Government’s Autumn Statement will focus on kick starting major growth in the economy. This is with housing being at the forefront of that economic growth. However, growth in housing and regeneration will see no or limited new money to invest in these sectors. Rather, there will be a focus on reforming the planning system and an emphasis on targeted large-scale regeneration through strategic partnerships to get the housing number up. A strategy to deliver scale, improve developer confidence and attract private investment.

So how will Councils need to respond to adopt new target operating models that will impact on capacity and service provision when faced with major budget challenges and edging towards 114 Section notices with limited or no financial headroom?

Paul will talk about how Councils need to adopt new strategic thinking and policies as interventionists and enablers of housing and regeneration to attract limited government funding and create the strategic partnerships that remove council financial risk while building developer and investor confidence to deliver much needed housing and economic growth.

Transforming Place-Shaping: Modernising Local Government Services with Jan Britton (Interim Executive Lead for Place at Dorset Council)

Jan Britton will discusses the transformation and modernisation of place-shaping services, in the changing landscape of local government. Jan talks about the importance of developing a joined-up sense of what place-shaping services are seeking to achieve, rather than presenting what can sometimes be perceived as a collection of different functions that are only related by place. At the same time, recognising that the centralised council services of the past are neither financially sustainable nor sufficiently responsive to changing customer and community expectations to provide a delivery model for the future.

In this fluid and rapidly changing work environment, Jan talks about the work he has been doing since joining Dorset in January this year, to identify the common themes that unite the council’s Place Directorate, as a means to strengthen services and reduce costs, and align with the corporate transformation programme, while also reaching out to partners, particularly Dorset’s town and parish councils, who have not always found services easy to engage with at the local level.

Our Speakers

Paul Patterson, is a business leader in Housing and Regeneration as a CEO in the housing association sector and held Corporate Directors positions in Local Government. He Currently has just completed a major interim assignment at Tower Hamlets Council. He led the insourcing and integration of a 22,000 Housing ALMO back into the Council, put in place a strategy to deliver the Executive Mayoral Pledge of 4,000 affordable homes by 2026 and implemented a fast-track planning service in the LPA.

Jan Britton is an experienced Chief Executive and Managing Director with a distinguished career in the public sector. Passionate about the place-shaping role of local government, Jan has a professional background in direct services, environment, and regeneration. Jan firmly believes that by shaping the places where people live, local councils can support communities, build sustainable economies, and help individuals maximize their life chances and opportunities.

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