• Jackie Ward chaired the meeting and welcomed Trish Cookson (RTPI Networks Manager), Jackie Thompson (South East Planning Aid Co-ordinator) and Shelley Davis (East of England Planning Aid Administrator) to the meeting.
• Trish Cookson, RTPI Networks Manager, updated the RAC on the Networks:
  • Trish advised that the RTPI is undertaking a review of the Networks to establish whether they meet the needs of their members and was keen to receive any feedback from RAC members. It was felt that the topic-based Networks worked best.
  • Trish was keen for the Networks and Regions to work closer together and it was agreed that Networks could be a source of speakers, skills and expertise to assist Regional conference organisers.
  • Trish reported that the RTPI Senior Vice President is very keen to have a Network Champion on every RAC to be the central contact for Network promotion. The member would be interested in the Networks and would involve, promote and include them in all Regional events and promote them as beneficial groups in their own right. Phil Grant offered to become East of England Network Champion.
• It was reported that the new RTPI membership database had been delayed again. The RAC had been assured it would be operational in May but it had now been delayed until July/August. This news was greeted with dismay.
• The Regional Business Plan will shortly be reviewed, allowing an opportunity to review progress of activities, availability of financial and other resources and to put forward new proposals:
  • The biggest problem facing the East of England is “human resources”, volunteer and staff time to organise activities and events.
  • Another challenge will be finance as provision needs to be made for replacement equipment and income must be increased to cover the rent of the Regional Office.
  • As our Regional Grant is influenced by the number of members in the Region, it is in our own interests to promote recruitment into the profession and into the RTPI.
• The Treasurer reported on a meeting that had taken place in London of Regional Treasurers. The RTPI requires Regions and Nations to reduce their reserves, although it was agreed that 10% of reserves can be retained as a “float”. The RTPI is moving towards allowing credit/debit card and BACS payments for conference bookings and is hoping to get this resolved before the autumn. The IT and Finance sections are looking into the provision of an on-line booking facility.
• The total failure of the Regional Office computer had meant that a temporary replacement laptop was being used by Tina, which had caused a lot of extra work. It had taken several weeks for the computer to finally be repaired and delivered back to the Regional Office. It was recommended and agreed that the computer be replaced as its reliability can no longer be guaranteed.
• The subject of Eco-Towns was discussed, with members of the RAC putting forward their own views on the subject. The consensus view of the Committee was that this promised to be the next planning disaster – a good principle being mishandled and poorly delivered.
• Progress was reported on the 2008 Conference Programme.
• Richard Woolley had attended a Construction Sector Professional Body Events meeting to discuss a range of issues related to joint working.
• The East of England Planning Aid Service was looking to recruit a new Co-ordinator. In the meantime, Jackie Thompson, South East Planning Aid Co-ordinator, had agreed to assist. The East of England case work is rising but the staff are struggling to get volunteers to help. Community Planning work is expanding and the Service is running a training day in July for volunteers.
• Robert Hobbs provided a written report on recent and forthcoming Young Planners events and on the meeting of the RTPI Young Planners Steering Group he had recently attended.
• Richard Chillingford reported on the recent meeting of the Regions and Nations Panel. Topics included Regional Policy Engagement, Review of the Regions and Nations Panel, and Business Plans/Budgets for 2009.

Tina Jessup

Author:

Tina Jessup

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

02-Dec-08

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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