Welcome to the RTPI monthly member bulletin.

Scroll down to keep up to date with key events,

opinion polls, reports, parliamentary affairs, membership information and news, RTPI in the
news and member offers.
KEY EVENTS

Early Booking Discount for the Planning Convention 2017

We're pleased to announce that early booking for the Planning Convention 2017 is now open.
For a limited time, you can receive 25 off RTPI Member and Standard Rate places*.
The 2017 Convention will take place on 21 June 2017 in London. Expert speakers from around
the world will come together to discuss solutions to the most pressing problems facing the
industry, focusing on how we can deliver a strong, inclusive future for all.
Highlights for 2017 include Planning for disaster relief, The night-time economy, 'Ask the Chief
Planners' and free study tours led by expert guides.
Book now and save by visiting: www.theplanningconvention.co.uk.
*Rate only applicable to the first 50 bookings.

Who will be shortlisted for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017?
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence recognise and reward outstanding, cutting edge
achievements by the best in the profession. Entries for the 2017 Awards are now closed. This
year we received a record number of entries across our 14 categories. The shortlist will be
announced on the RTPI website on 7 February 2017, when tickets for the ceremony will also
go on sale. See more.
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

RTPI Scotland publishes Repositioning Planning: Building a Successful and Sustainable

Scotland
In advance of the Scottish Government publishing a Planning Consultation Paper with
proposals for reform at the turn of the year, we outline our vision for a reformed system, and
the game-changers needed to get there. Our headline ideas are for a Chief Planning Officer in
every local authority, with a statutory duty to be consulted on corporate decisions, and the
introduction of a Community Right to Plan. Read more.
RTPI response to Autumn Statement 2016 (Updated)
The Chancellor Philip Hammond has set out to Parliament his Autumn Statement. Read
more about RTPIs response to his key announcements.
Politicians rally for planning at annual Parliamentary Reception
Bob Neill MP, former planning minister and RTPIs Parliamentary Patron sung plannings praises
to the other politicians and senior built environment stakeholders gathered together for the
RTPIs Annual Parliamentary Reception. Held at Westminster and sponsored by British Land,
the event politicians, planners, developers, civil servants and key stakeholders to attend to
network and discuss key policy issues in an informal setting.

Politicians in Planning Conference 2016

On 19 November, a group of 50 delegates attended the annual Politicians in Planning
conference in Manchester. A wide range of speakers and councillors for the very first time,
came to hear about the challenges of delivering housing, infrastructure and enhancing the
environment. Read more.
Pwllhelis world class sailing centre wins top planning award
Pwllhelis world class sailing centre, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre,
has won the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru Wales Planning Award 2016.
RTPI Scotland shares planning reform priorities with ICE and RICS
RTPI Scotland has established five common priorities for Scottish Planning Reform with the
Institution of Civil Engineers and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This is to ensure
the Planning Bill recognises the built environment sectors vital role and potential to drive
growth and sustainable development. Read more.
RTPI Scotland publishes its Annual Report
The report highlights that 65 events have been held for members across Scotland in 2016
whilst 17 policy or briefing papers were published, including a manifesto for the Scottish
Election. Read the full report here.
National Infrastructure Assessment call for evidence
The National Infrastructure Commission has launched a call for evidence to help shape the
development of their first National Infrastructure Assessment. If you would like to inform our
response, please email james.harris@rtpi.org.uk by Friday 29 January 2017.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS

President visits members in Ireland, London, North West England and the East Midlands
RTPI President Phil Williams has been impressed with the impact members are having on the
ground helping to deliver houses, regenerate towns, preserve our heritage and shaping the
future of planning. Read about his visits to Ireland, North West England and the East
Midlands.
Subscriptions for 2017 are due for renewal
Subscriptions are due for renewal on 1 January. We remain committed to keeping
subscriptions as low as possible whilst still providing a high quality service. The RTPI continues
to grow, demonstrating that members recognise the value and importance of their
professional institute and the support it provides. You can spread the cost by setting up a
Direct Debit instruction for payment in equal quarterly instalments or you can pay
online here. You may qualify for a reduced subscription fee if you are on a low income, a
student on an RTPI accredited course or if on maternity leave during 2016 or 2017. If you have
any queries email subscriptions@rtpi.org.uk, phone 020 7929 9463 (option 1) or visit our
website.
RTPI membership for academics
Professional recognition both in and out of academia, access to research grants and
competitions, and shaping our quality assurance standards for planning schools and accredited
courses are just three reasons why academics join the RTPI. Our new webpage and flyer

explain the routes to membership for academics. See more.

RTPI welcomes publication of global ethics principles
The International Ethics Standards (IES) coalition of which the RTPI is a member has published
the first set of worldwide ethics principles for professionals working in land, property and
built environment sectors. Read more.
Planning Theory and Practice (Volume 17, Issue 4)
The latest issue of Planning Theory and Practice is out. The editorial (free to access)
discusses lessons from the Brexit vote for planning practitioners and researchers. The
Interface discusses the gap between academic understanding of practice (reflected in
planning education) and the challenges that practitioners have to face on the ground (free to
access).
Routledge Planning, Policy and Practice free article collection
This free article collection is focused at practitioners and includes articles from planning
journals including Planning Theory and Practice and the Journal of the American Planning
Association. You simply need to fill in your name and email, and select RTPI to receive free
access to the collection. Practitioners are also invited to fill a survey on their research needs.
INTERNATIONAL

Launch of the UK Built Environment Advisory group at Habitat III

The RTPI, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Institution of Structural Engineers
have launched the UKs first advisory group offering built environment expertise for global
humanitarian crises. The virtual group was officially launched at a special event attended by
the British Ambassador during Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador. Read 13 things that the Chief
Executive learned at Habitat III.
RTPI IN THE NEWS

Scottish Government urged to make planners statutory consultees in strategic local

decisions, Scottish Construction Now
Wales Planning Award for Plas Heli Sailing Academy, Business News Wales
Professional bodies publish international ethics standards, The Construction Index
Blog: A day in the life of planning enforcement, Scottish Construction Now
RTPIs Head of Policy, Richard Blyth appeared on Today, BBC Radio 4s Today