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RTPI Scotland Members are all volunteers with expertise in many aspects of planning and represent both the private and public sectors. The duties outlined below reflect our shared hopes and expectations but do not create any contractual obligations.

Scottish Executive Committee

The work of RTPI Scotland is managed through the Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) and implemented by the Director and staff team based at the Edinburgh office. The SEC's remit includes:

  • developing the Institute's position on planning policy in Scotland
  • supporting members in their professional activities
  • working with the seven regional Chapters and the Scottish Young Planners' Network
  • coordinating the Institute's programme of national events in Scotland

The SEC is represented on the RTPI's General Assembly, committees and panels.

Composition of the SEC

Office Bearers:

  • Convenor
  • Senior Vice Convenor
  • Junior Vice Convenor
  • Immediate Past Convenor
  • Trustee for Scotland

Other SEC roles:

  • Six elected Corporate / Legal Associate members
  • Two Student / Licentiate members
  • An Associate member
  • Representative from each Chapter
  • Scottish Planning Consultants Forum representative
  • Scottish Young Planners’ Network representative
  • Partners in Planning representative
  • Heads of Planning Scotland representative
  • Up to five General Assembly members

Term of office

The term of office for SEC members is one year with the exception of the Trustee for Scotland and Corporate / Legal Associate members which are for a term of two years.

Routes to membership of the SEC

Members can be elected to the following roles on the SEC:

  • Office Bearers
  • Corporate / Legal Associate / Student / Licentiate members

The following positions are appointed by the relevant forum / network and the representative should be a member of the Institute:

  • Scottish Planning Consultants’ Forum
  • Scottish Young Planners’ Network
  • Partners in Planning
  • Heads of Planning Scotland

The Representative for Chapters will normally be the Chapter Convenor unless otherwise agreed by the Chapter.

Up to a maximum of five members of the General Assembly (GA) who are members in Scotland are automatically eligible to join the SEC. If there are more than five eligible GA members, an election will take place.

What’s involved? 

  • Contribute to the setting of objectives for the SEC within the context of the RTPI’s Corporate Strategy and the RTPI Scotland Service Plan.
  • Support the business planning process for RTPI Scotland, with reference to the RTPI’s Corporate Strategy.
  • Contribute to responses to policy papers, consultation responses and communications with key stakeholders with support from RTPI Officers.
  • Be willing to represent RTPI Scotland on advisory groups, working parties or panels.
  • Contribute to the agreement of an events programme for RTPI Scotland and attend / chair events as appropriate.
  • Representing RTPI at conferences and events as appropriate.
  • Undertaking promotional activities on behalf of RTPI Scotland.
  • Foster and maintain good relationships with committee members and RTPI staff.
  • Actively seek to build and deepen existing and new relationships with other built environment organisations, politicians and other relevant groups.
  • Promote the benefits of RTPI membership and encourage members to become active members, engaging with students and seeking to recruit new members.
  • Members for Chapters or forums / networks are expected to bring an awareness of the current issues facing the Chapter / forum / network and to share this with the SEC. However, this role is to act in the interests of the SEC as a whole rather than to represent one particular group.

All RTPI volunteers:

  • Act in the interests of the RTPI, irrespective of any commitments to other organisations or groups or any personal interests.
  • Declare any potential conflicts of interest and seek advice from the Governance Manager if necessary.
  • Adhere to relevant RTPI policies, procedures and behaviours.

What’s expected of you?

  • Attend SEC meetings (there are normally four meetings a year).
  • Participate in either Communications, Education & Lifelong Learning Sub Committee or Policy Sub Committee (there are normally three meetings a year).
  • Contribute to discussions and decisions at meetings.
  • Read and consider papers in advance of meetings. Papers are normally circulated electronically one week in advance of SEC meetings.
  • Act in the best interests of the RTPI, irrespective of any commitments to other organisations or groups or any personal interests.
  • Adhere to relevant RTPI policies and procedures.

About you

A role on the SEC would be suitable for members with the following attributes:

  • A strong commitment to planning and the RTPI’s strategic objectives and vision.
  • A strategic and collegiate approach to working with committee members
  • Good knowledge of the Scottish planning system and the context it functions in
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, in particular influencing skills
  • Ability to see the bigger picture, as well as taking into account current priorities.
  • Availability to attend committee meetings as scheduled (normally daytime but there may be occasional evening meetings)