Northgate strengthens its planning team....

10 July 2008, 2:13pm

Northgate strengthens its planning team with key local authority appointment


Northgate Information Solutions today announces the key appointment of Martin Howell to the planning team as the company continues its drive to deliver innovative and sustainable planning services for citizens across the country.

Martin, who has been appointed as Planning Consultant, joins from Wandsworth Borough Council where he worked in the Planning team as Group Leader for Policy and Information. In that position, he played a crucial role in the development of local and national e-planning services, providing citizens with easier access to high quality planning information and guidance as part of a nationwide transformation programme.

An experienced professional, Martin also worked as lead planning officer on PARSOL, the national project assisting local authorities in providing planning and regulatory services online. In addition, he represented local authorities on the e-Planning Statutory Consultees Group and has chaired the Royal Town Planning Institute's e-Planning conference for the past two years.

At Northgate, he will be responsible for building collaborative partnerships and developing innovative new opportunities to provide local authorities with planning services focused on the needs of citizens.

Russell Osborne, Managing Director of Land & Property at Northgate Public Services, said today:

“We are delighted to welcome Martin to the planning team. His extensive experience in key planning services, such as the national e-Planning programme, will be invaluable as we help deliver a dynamic and streamlined planning system in the UK. We must encourage innovation in planning services in order to address the issues raised by the current economic climate. People with hands-on experience working closely with local authorities are crucial to this development, and Martin will considerably strengthen our work in this area."

Martin Howell added:
"I am looking forward to helping Northgate build upon its innovative partnerships with local planning services throughout the country. An effective and efficient planning system is essential to both the UK economy and the quality of people’s lives. We must ensure that local authorities and citizens have a voice which is listened to and taken into account if we are to deliver a modernised planning system."

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