A staggering 43% drop in Local Authority net expenditure on planning services from 2009 to 2020 has left the planning system in a dire state. Andrew Close, director of education and profession, RTPI, explores how the planning sector can attract new diverse talent
On July 23, the government announced plans to launch a £24m fund to clear ‘backlogs’ in the planning system and £13m for additional planning advisory services in growing areas.
Anyone who has worked in or with a Local Authority can agree on one thing – England’s planning sector is under pressure and urgently need additional resources to secure the affordable homes and public services that individuals, families and communities need.
The planning system and professional town planners support the delivery of key infrastructure located in the right place and working with local people.
Local Authority net expenditure on planning has fallen by 43%
However, as reported by the RTPI in September last year, Local Authority net expenditure on planning fell by 43%, from £844m in 2009 to £480m in 2020.
Just 0.45% of local government budgets are allocated to each planning service.
We’re witnessing the impact that this is having on Local Authorities across the country, where budget reductions continue to lead to insufficient numbers of staff, unmanageable workloads and overstretched workers.
It has rather become a vicious circle, and local authorities are struggling to attract and retain staff as a result.
A quarter of planners left the public sector between 2013 and 2020
Analysis from the Royal Town Planning Institute shows that a quarter of planners left the public sector between 2013 and 2020. Many moved into the private sector.
In some cases, RTPI members have told us that redundancy is the only realistic option unless resources can be ploughed into the service.
Well-resourced local authorities give local leaders and communities the power to change their areas for the better and improve the quality of life. Regeneration has been a mainstay of the planning profession since its inception.
Professional planners also play a crucial role in addressing climate and biodiversity emergencies, economic development and public health outcomes.
How can the planning sector attract new talent?
Unfortunately, the stats above illustrate that local authorities often don’t have the capacity to meet local or national expectations and unlock the full value of the planning system.
The RTPI is tackling this issue head-on by attracting new diverse talent into public service.
We have created a new Apprenticeship scheme to give local authorities direct options to draw down government levy funds to train the next generation of planners on the job.
In May, we launched our latest Future Planners Bursary, made possible with a grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. We have increased the size of the bursary from £2,000 to £5,000, covering up to 50% of the cost of the student’s university fees.
Our scheme aims to reduce financial barriers and open access to the profession to a wider group of students. Over 50 new planners will be converted via an accredited postgraduate qualification.
We are also supporting the pathways to planning scheme being developed by the LGA Planning Advisory Service to dovetail into the RTPI Apprenticeship programme.
We believe that steps like these, and joined-up action from national and local governments to take advantage to resource the planning sector and attract diverse talent into the profession, are essential.
Andrew Close
Director of Education and Profession
RTPI
