RTPI Y ACTIVIT E PIPELIN Current RTPI work – what the Institute is doing and how you can help us VOLUNTEER FOR PLANNING AID ENGLAND Do you want to use your planning knowledge to help others, empower individuals and communities to engage in the planning system while also learning new skills and broadening your knowledge? If so, why not volunteer for Planning Aid England? Over the last 12 months PAE have supported over 270 groups to develop a neighbourhood plan and provided assistance to over 60 individuals and communities. They could not do this without the support of planners like you. Opportunities range from providing bespoke support, assisting at consultation events, delivering training and reviewing guidance. n For further information visit www.rtpi.org.uk/planning-aid.
CALLING ALL MINERALS AND WASTE PLANNERS HELP US TO HELP YOU! We are inviting responses to this brief questionnaire, to gather information about jobs in the minerals and waste sector. This survey will assist the RTPI with understanding the current picture for private and public sector minerals and waste planners in the UK; and will build on the findings by the Planning Officers Society and the UK Minerals Forum Working Group which identified possible skills gaps in minerals and waste. The survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete. n Complete the survey here: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/education-and-careers/ rtpi-ambassadors-programme/minerals-and-waste-questionnaire/
GREAT NORTH PLAN CALL FOR EVIDENCE The RTPI has partnered with IPPR North to lead a project to determine the most appropriate strategic planning framework for the north of England. We are calling for evidence from planners to share their thoughts about whether we need a Great North Plan and what it should look like. Evidence can be sent to infrastructure@ippr.org and on Twitter using the hashtag #GreatNorthPlan. The deadline is 30 September 2015. Bob Wolfe, chair of the project board, said: “The Northern Powerhouse offers immense opportunities. We have a once in a lifetime chance to get this right and this debate will be crucial in setting the ideas and thinking in motion.” n www.greatnorthplan.com
DEVELOPING ASKS AHEAD OF 2016 WELSH ELECTIONS In 2016 voters in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and London will be going to the polls. The RTPI in all four jurisdictions is developing the ‘asks’ to the respective parties running for office. Each will have different asks, depending on the needs of the planning system and wider spatial planning issues. In Wales, RTPI Cymru is developing a research project to address the problem of the use and interpretation of household projections for Local Development Plans (LDPs). RTPI Cymru is concerned that the current processes and practices do not provide clarity or reassurance to local planning authorities or other stakeholders within the development industry. It has created a lack of confidence in some parties who interpret as a fault of the whole LDP system. n For more information and to contribute to the project, email: walespolicy@rtpi.org.uk
RTPI SHORTS
ROUTES TO MEMBERSHIP CONSULTATION The RTPI has several routes to membership, each of which has evolved over time in response to different needs. The Routes to Membership project will carry out a comprehensive review and ensure that routes to membership are transparent, robust, competency-based and fit for purpose now and in future. Its aims are: b To provide greater clarity to potential members on the routes to membership. Greater transparency and consistency of routes and requirements should help attract new members while maintaining standards. b To design routes to membership which are flexible, and which will work both now and in the future to bring in new members from a variety of educational backgrounds. b To ensure routes to membership work for members and potential members across the world. We are currently consulting on a proposed new membership routes structure. This is being done through RTPI Committees and Panels, Regions and Nations and by consultation with specific groups of members including Technical Members, Legal Associates and Young Planner Chairs. This consultation phase lasts until the start of September. n To find out more contact Catherine Middleton, catherine.middleton@rtpi.org.uk.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE DECISIONS One consultant member has been found to be in breach of the Code of Professional Conduct by failing to take reasonable precautions to ensure that no conflict of interest arose during the course of an instruction. The member appealed against the decision of the Conduct and Discipline Panel and the Appeal Committee upheld the panel’s decision. The member was warned as to his future conduct. Three local authority members have also been found to be in breach of the code. One was found to be in breach of his duty to exercise due care in respect of a report to committee containing inaccurate measurements. The panel agreed not to impose a penalty due to mitigating circumstances. A second member was found to be in breach of the code in respect of his handling of the council’s complaint process. The member was warned as to his professional conduct. A third local authority member was also found to be in breach of the code in respect of his handling of the council’s complaint process, the breach was upheld by the Appeal Committee, but no penalty was imposed owing to mitigating factors. Consultant member Mr Andrew Vaughan-Harries has been found to be in breach of the code by failing to act with integrity in terms of the content and tone of an email he sent to the owner of adjoining land. The panel determined that the email amounted to a ‘threat’ as it identified a number of possible development options that could be pursued in the event that the neighbour did not offer to purchase the site from him. The member was reprimanded. n Sandra Whitehead, RTPI Complaints Investigator sandra.whitehead@rtpi.org.uk
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