{"id":131079,"date":"2023-08-09T11:28:13","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T10:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=131079"},"modified":"2023-08-09T11:36:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T10:36:57","slug":"planning-sector-new-diverse-talent-rtpi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/planning-sector-new-diverse-talent-rtpi\/131079\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning skills shortage: How can the planning sector attract new diverse talent?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0Andrew Close, director of education and profession, RTPI<\/a>, explores how the planning sector can attract new diverse talent<\/h2>\n

On July 23, the government announced plans to launch a \u00a324m fund<\/a> to clear \u2018backlogs\u2019 in the planning system and \u00a313m for additional planning advisory services in growing areas.<\/p>\n

Anyone who has worked in or with a Local Authority can agree on one thing – England\u2019s planning sector is under pressure and urgently need additional resources to secure the affordable homes<\/a> and public services that individuals, families and communities need.<\/p>\n

The planning system and professional town planners support the delivery of key infrastructure located in the right place and working with local people.<\/p>\n

Local Authority net expenditure on planning has fallen by 43%<\/h3>\n

However, as reported by the RTPI in September last year, Local Authority net expenditure on planning fell by 43%, from \u00a3844m in 2009 to \u00a3480m in 2020.<\/p>\n

Just 0.45% of local government budgets are allocated to each planning service.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

It has rather become a vicious circle, and local authorities are struggling to attract and retain staff as a result.<\/p>\n

A quarter of planners left the public sector between 2013 and 2020<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In some cases, RTPI members have told us that redundancy is the only realistic option unless resources can be ploughed into the service.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Professional planners also play a crucial role in addressing climate and biodiversity emergencies, economic development and public health outcomes.<\/p>\n

How can the planning sector attract new talent?<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The RTPI is tackling this issue head-on by attracting new diverse talent into public service.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In May, we launched our latest Future Planners Bursary<\/a>, made possible with a grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. We have increased the size of the bursary from \u00a32,000 to \u00a35,000, covering up to 50% of the cost of the student\u2019s university fees.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

We are also supporting the pathways to planning scheme being developed by the LGA Planning Advisory Service<\/a> to dovetail into the RTPI Apprenticeship programme.<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andrew Close<\/strong><\/p>\n

Director of Education and Profession<\/p>\n

RTPI<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0Andrew Close, director of education and profession, RTPI, explores how the planning sector can attract new diverse 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