Q&A with Mark Walker Planning Officer

mark walker photo1) Sum up what your job is all about in two sentences

It’s primarily about supporting the wider planning team at Adur & Worthing Councils by interpreting local, regional and nationally set policies in a way which helps set out the overall vision for how Adur and Worthing should develop in the future.

2) What has been your proudest moment at work?

I have only just started the role as Planning Officer but completing the initial first stages of the Sustainability Assessment for the Adur Local Plan would be a key first achievement, having only just graduated with a First Class MSc Town Planning degree from the University of Brighton earlier this year.

3) If you had a magic wand, what would you change in your job?

Nothing at the moment. It is all going very well and my colleagues have been very helpful, particularly my Line Manager, the Adur Planning Policy Manager, Moira Hayes, who has been excellent, as has Ian Moody, the Planning Policy Manager for Worthing.

4) Outside of work, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Aside from being lucky enough to come from a very close and loving family, I have travelled around the world, including recent trips to Alaska (right: with my family in Alaska), Japan and Israel; and Poland, Albania, Russia and Belarus a few years ago. I have also spent over 3 years travelling around Belgium and the surrounding countries from when I lived in Brussels and worked for the European Union institutions.

5) Tell us about one of your hobbies?

Living in Brighton, I am a Brighton & Hove Albion football supporter and have been a long-term season ticket holder during the years when I did not have a Premier League broadcasting media pass. I also love Panini Sticker Albums and was fortunate enough to feature in one of the stickers myself!

6) What’s your favourite song – at the moment and of all time?

At the moment, my favourite song is the 1982 Carly Simon song, Why, as I heard it again in a remix at a recent party. Of all time, one of my favourite songs is John Lennon’s Imagine. I also love the music by Limahl, especially Never Ending Story (right: me with Limahl and Mike Read DJ when I worked at Latest TV in Brighton as the News Editor).

7) What’s your favourite place in the world (near or far)?

For sheer natural beauty, the Hubbard and Mendenhall Glaciers in Alaska are a sight worth seeing, as is a trip to Jerusalem if you get a chance. Very memorable. (Below: with my wife Angi; and glacier watching onboard ship with my wife and family).

8) Tell us a surprising fact about you?

I worked for two Members of the European Parliament in one of the last Parliamentary terms before the United Kingdom formally withdrew from the European Union.

I have also previously worked for a former Shadow Environment Minister in the UK Parliament, with frequent trips to 10 Downing Street, a job which enabled me to gain skills which I am putting back to use in my current role at Adur & Worthing Councils.