The latest in a series of Civic Voice 'In Conversations' with the civic movement, this webinar will explore the impact of the current coronavirus pandemic on the planning system and the work of the Planning Inspectorate.

Hosted by Kevin Trickett MBE, President of Wakefield Civic Society, Kevin will be talking with Sarah Richards, CEO of The Planning Inspectorate. Join Kevin and Sarah can in this webinar to hear their thoughts on how the planning system may emerge from the current crisis.

Participants must register for the event here. The webinar will be held via Zoom and the meeting password will be sent to participants prior to the meeting.

Speaker biographies

Sarah Richards, BSc,MPhil, MRTPI, took up post as The Planning Inspectorate Chief Executive in March 2016. Her previous role was Strategic Director Regeneration, Housing and Resources, at Slough Borough Council. Sarah gained extensive experience as a planner working in local government before moving to the private sector as managing partner for Zurich Municipal Management Services where she led a team providing risk based consulting service to the public sector. Upon returning to the public sector, Sarah set up and led the Planning Advisory Service and then moved to the Local Government Association as a national adviser on housing and economic growth.

More on the Planning Inspectorate here.

Kevin Trickett MBE

Kevin is a native of Wakefield and has lived in and around the city all his life. After a 40-year career in the Civil Service, he now devotes much of his time to charity work, writing, public speaking, and travel. He writes and speaks about some of his favourite subjects including architecture, heritage, philosophy, travel and Art Deco. His blog can be found on his website https://itbroadensthemind.com/. Kevin is well versed in the activities of the civic movement, having been a trustee of Wakefield Civic Society since 1990. He was elected as the Society’s President in March 2002 and continues to hold that position today. He is also a trustee of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies (YHACS) and was elected as its Chair in January 2011, a role which he also continues to fulfil.

In the 2018 New Year’s Honours List, Kevin was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Wakefield.