Peter French

Senior Policy Adviser @CCNOffice | Chartered Town Planner | Tweeting housing, planning & infrastructure | @PlanningOut board member | Views my own

[Confederation of Passenger Transport @CPT_UK]

Bus usage in England in 2023 increased by 8% compared to the previous year

Latest @transportgovuk National Travel Survey confirms the average number of trips made by bus outside London has continued to rise.

#CatchTheBusMonth #DriveUKForward

https://t.co/ZjfmLrT3X3

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Today the government has announced reforms to the housing and planning system.

Read our on-the-day response to the announcement here: https://t.co/UPBlkaoeHs

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

With county homes some of the most unaffordable in England, a push to deliver more properties and to improve economic growth is laudable.

But there must be equal consideration to addressing infrastructure shortages.

We respond to today's announcement ⬇️ https://t.co/L914zoPBiS

[Catriona Riddell @CatrionaRiddel1]

This is a very unfair picture of LA planners. To suggest that corruption ("this kind of sleaze is endemic") is 'endemic' must be challenged by @RTPIPlanners & @POSisit ugently. Public sector planners have a hard enough time without this thrown at them. https://t.co/rA15TtPCkk

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

"County authorities will be key in delivering the government’s key priorities in economic growth, planning, and public service reform."

Read our full response to the #GeneralElection2024 result ⤵️

https://t.co/xveQHUTLTT

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Congratulations @mtpennycook on your appointment to @luhc.

With planning reform a key priority for the new government, we look forward to working with you to deliver a long term plan for housing, including a return of strategic planning.

[kasey @kaseyklimes]

this got talked about a lot when I worked on google maps.

I would personally love this feature, and it’s technically feasible.

here’s why I fought it loudly every time it came up

🧵

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Our Manifesto for Counties puts forward the need for a long-term plan for housing, infrastructure and transport, alongside a vision for tackling climate change.

Watch our housing spokesperson outline our key asks ⬇️

Read our detailed proposals ➡️ https://t.co/IOhIYA8CDW

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

📢 Today we launch our Manifesto for Counties! 📢

Visit our brand-new and interactive website to read over 160 bold policy proposals ahead of the general election➡️ https://t.co/ZIcOrP8MbO

Watch @SCCLeader explain why counties matter this election period - and beyond ⬇️

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

🗓️ Coming tomorrow...

We are launching our Manifesto for Counties: our ambitious and bold blueprint for reformed local services and empowered county authorities.

🚨 Our manifesto will be launched on a standalone interactive website - check back tomorrow morning to read it!

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

👋 Our team of @peterpfrench @alunhughesccn and Hannah Chard had an enjoyable and productive day at @UKREiiF - catching up with several CCN member councils and outlining the challenges and opportunities they face to key stakeholders ahead of the #generalelection

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Our chairman @SCCLeader and policy advisor @peterpfrench had a productive meeting this morning with @boys_nicholas from the new @ofp_gov discussing how they can involve CCN members and our solutions to challenges in place making.

[Catriona Riddell @CatrionaRiddel1]

The Duty to Cooperate is finally dead but we still have absolutely no idea how its replacement 'alignment test' will work. A big new Act with a v complex process of implementation- 35 ways in which the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act will change planning https://t.co/ki6Zfh7Li1

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

It's been a busy July as we've released four new reports, which explore:

📈 Demand in children's services

➡️ Integrating LEP functions into councils

🚍 The decline of county buses

🪙 Costs of new children's services inspections

Download them: https://t.co/K5DTRxsQGf

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

🗞️ Further coverage today in @Independent on our new buses report with @SYSTRA_LTD, which finds that journeys in rural areas are now at a historic low - as we call for further support:

https://t.co/I00WhpJFwW

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Today's @guardian covers our new research with @SYSTRA_LTD which finds that one in four bus services in county areas have disappeared over the last decade, with the pandemic accelerating this

We are calling for county-specific support ⬇️

https://t.co/RvK1pobuz9

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

🚌 Today we release a new report with @SYSTRA_LTD which examines the state of county buses.

It finds that passenger numbers have dropped to a historic low, and warns that the government's bus strategy has done little to address this.

Download it here ➡️ https://t.co/qt6WzB6tCw

[Joel Cohen @J0ELcohen]

30 organisations representing builders, housing associations, local gov and planners have come together to express concern that the Gov's proposed #InfrastructureLevy won't work - the broadest single response to planning system reforms yet: https://t.co/PU3f6dIFUQ

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

Today's @thetimes covers the letter we signed with a host of organisations incl @RTPIPlanners @natfednews @HomeBuildersFed & @LGANews: warning that the proposed Infrastructure Levy risks infrastructure delivery and could result in fewer affordable homes ⬇️
https://t.co/bJqcjjLuBT

[County Councils Network @CCNOffice]

We're concerned that the government's Infrastructure Levy could result in less infrastructure delivered in county areas and fewer affordable homes.

We've signed a letter with 29 other organisations calling for a rethink.

Read our consultation response ⤵️ https://t.co/o30JjO6ihx