Projects

PIPA members provide feedback informally and more formally through annual surveys (no survey was conducted in 2011). Unless otherwise indicated, please respond to project entries by emailing pipa@rtpi.org.uk

Member Survey 2010

A further Member Survey was conducted in late 2010. The analysis of the PIPA Survey showed that 86% of respondents valued PIPA because it ‘Kept me well-informed on planning’, 51% said PIPA had ‘Made me aware of relevant events offered by others’ and 45% commended PIPA for ‘Providing useful resources on the PIPA website’. Particular comments that provide an insight into the way that PIPA is valued included: ‘It provides me with details of changes to policy that I would not be aware of’, ‘I am delighted PIPA is developing as a link between RTPI & us councillors’, ‘please help us to make sense of the emerging shambles in the absence of regional strategies’, although in cautionary fashion one respondent did note: ‘Something of a one way street - RTPI seem to put a lot in (thank you), the politicians appear to be happy just to accept it without really making much of a meaningful contribution’. From the survey it also emerged that 70% of respondents would ‘Look to work more closely with Community/Parish/Town Councils or their equivalents’ and 72% would ‘Charge for pre-application meetings’.

Member Survey 2009

The analysis of the 2009 PIPA Survey showed that by far the most valued feature of the PIPA offer is ‘information giving’ (91% ranked this No1); second favourite was ‘sharing information & knowledge with other Members’ (via events in particular) and third was ‘opportunities to explore and express views on planning policies’. A number of other specific PIPA features were also valued amongst which were: ‘the Conference as per the event with Hazel Blears in 2008’, ‘ability to keep my fellow members up to date with legislation, etc’, ‘information search – on-line and in person with the Network Manager’. It was also pleasing to note that just over 87% of those completing the survey would be supportive of setting up some task groups to look at some specific or more detailed issues – although not all would be immediately available to support initiatives. There are a wide range of suggestions for PIPA priorities – 75 in total – and these immediately helped to make selections for the content of the annual PIPA Conference.

Member Survey 2008

The survey responses received really were most valuable. Many thanks to all those members that set aside those three minutes to give some simple feedback.
84% of those responding felt that the present fortnightly circulation of the Member Bulletin was ‘just about right’ and a similar proportion felt the same about the content of Bulletins. The most popular section of the Bulletin was the topical news and updates, and the least popular was the section on Awards – so we may leave this as website content. Roughly half of respondents said they prefer full-day PIPA events and a good handful of people volunteered venues or topics for PIPA events – so watch this space! Some 70% of respondents felt that useful additional website content would be ‘summaries of relevant publications’ – already a link to RTPI publications of relevance has been made and I will begin to build a broader list with the help of RTPI Librarian Melissa Wyatt. The most popular overall ‘rating’ for PIPA was 7/10 and roughly 80% of respondents gave a rating of 5/10 or above. So thank you for your encouragement, for your suggestions that we will act on and for your offers to which I will be responding.
Lastly, nearly 15% of respondents expressed an interest in Associate Membership of the RTPI – details of this can be found here.

Survey on Local Member Review Bodies

The Planning Bill (original clauses 150-154) proposed to remove the right to an independent review for many applicants whose planning application is refused. Members were invited to take part in a vote on these proposals and add their views, both to inform the membership and the RTPI Policy Team. The overwhelming response was against this proposed change - and thanks to the strength of felling that the RTPI was able to evidence these clauses were dropped from the Bill before it was given the Royal Assent.