Our events bring people together to allow them the time and space to think through new problems. We run our events both online and in-person, and make use of tools such as MS Teams and Slido to ensure the best experience. We try to keep things interactive whether they are online or in person sessions so bring your questions and your creativity!
Residential course for service leaders
The format is a 2-day residential session run twice. It's quite a commitment and there will be preparation and follow-up work. But it will be worth your while - on the agenda are three of the biggest questions:
- How much does your service cost? Not just in a DM local fees sense, but what quality do you provide and how do you provide it?
- How ready are you and your team for AI, digital services and the innovation and change that is coming our way? How are you organised and whose job is it to embrace the new while keeping the show on the road?
- What does your service do for your place? How do you tell the story of investments made, jobs created, healthy homes built?
The Hydrogen Planning Forum: a webinar series for planners and the hydrogen sector
PAS is working with the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) to host a free, five-part webinar series exploring the practical implications of hydrogen projects for local authorities. As proposals for hydrogen production, storage, transport and use come forward, this series will help planners build confidence in assessing applications and understanding key planning considerations. Each online, lunchtime session will include input from industry, government and planning professionals, alongside opportunities for Q&A.
Who should attend?
Local authority planners (development management and policy), planning managers and others across the wider planning service with an interest in energy and infrastructure.
Programme
Session 1: Hydrogen 101 for Planners - the planning and policy context
Tuesday 21 April - 12:00 to 13:00
This opening session will be led by PAS, the HEA and Burgess Salmon and is designed to provide planners with a grounding in hydrogen technology, the current state of the industry, and wider policy landscape as it stands today. Whether you are new to hydrogen or beginning to encounter projects in your area, this session will give you the context to engage with confidence. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will be participating alongside contributions from industry and local authorities.
Session 2: Electrolytic Hydrogen - co-location and dispersed production
Tuesday 5 May - 12:00 to 13:00
This session focuses on electrolytic hydrogen production and the spatial and locational considerations that planners need to understand when assessing proposals. From grid connections and water availability to the clustering effects of production facilities on local areas, the session will provide planners with a practical grounding in the key factors at play. Speakers from local authorities. Contributors include industry experts from SLR Consulting and Roadnight Taylor as well as local planners working on leading hydrogen projects.
Session 3: Hydrogen as a Fuel for Mobility
Tuesday 12 May - 12:00 to 13:00
This session examines the role of hydrogen in decarbonising transport and the planning considerations associated with hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. As hydrogen-powered vehicles move from demonstration to deployment, planners are increasingly being asked to consider applications for refuelling stations and associated infrastructure in a range of settings, from industrial sites to public-facing locations. Safety considerations for planners will be shared by safety experts and industry participants include ULMECo and Fuel Cell Systems.
Session 4: Industrial Users - Hydrogen as a feedstock
Tuesday 26 May - 12:00 to 13:00
This session explores the role of hydrogen in decarbonising energy-intensive and hard-to-abate industries, and the planning considerations that arise when hydrogen is introduced into existing or new industrial settings. Industrial clusters are widely recognised as a critical mechanism for kickstarting the hydrogen economy, and this session will examine what that means in practice for planners. The Environment Agency is confirmed to speak as well as planning authority and industry speakers whom will share considerations / perspectives on DCO scale project consenting and large scale infrastructure.
Session 5: Emerging Production Pathways - Nuclear and offshore hydrogen
Tuesday 9 June - 12:00 to 13:00
This closing session looks ahead to the emerging and innovative production pathways that are shaping the future of hydrogen in the UK, with a focus on nuclear-enabled hydrogen and offshore production. As these technologies progress from concept towards deployment, understanding their distinct planning and regulatory characteristics will be essential for planning authorities and policy makers alike. The UK National Nuclear Laboratory and emerging innovative hydrogen production pathway companies, such as HiiROC, are confirmed to speak.
Register your place
You can register for the full series or individual sessions through this online HEA form
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PAS Nature Recovery Toolkit for Local Authorities - on-line launch event
Monday 1st June - 13:00 - 14:00
Join the launch of the redesigned Nature Recovery Toolkit, shaped by council pilots—real case studies, practical lessons, and next steps.
This webinar is for local authority officers looking to build organisational support and a clear, practical approach to nature recovery through its services. Hear directly from our six pilot councils as they share how they used the Nature Recovery Toolkit in practice—and what made the biggest difference.
The toolkit, redesigned following the pilots, combines a resource library with a tried‑and‑tested workshop format. It helps councils to:
- Shift conversations from “nature as a specialist issue” to “nature as a shared corporate responsibility”
- Understand and meet the council’s biodiversity duty
- Explore how different services can support Local Nature Recovery Strategy priorities
- Create the conditions for long‑term governance, coordination and momentum on nature recovery
Booking tickets via Eventbrite
A few people are getting frustrated when booking tickets for events very late (sometimes even after they have started). This means that shortly before the event a human from the PAS team will send you your link. This will be coming from an @local.gov.uk email address.
Shortly before the event starts our team will usually will be mucking in with the event and will not see any late orders. So - please book tickets at least two days in advance if you want to be sure of a place.