The Dialogue Member role is key to the process of accreditation at the earliest stage of the process. They are charged with establishing a working relationship with the Planning School seeking accreditation and are there to assist them in developing the initial proposal for accreditation based upon the RTPI’s current Learning Outcomes and Policy Statement on Initial Planning Education. The Dialogue member is a key member of the Accreditation Board alongside the Chair, Vice Chair and RTPI Secretariat. The Accreditation Board is tasked with considering a Planning School’s formal accreditation proposal and deciding whether the Planning School meets the RTPI Effective Planning School criteria and if the planning courses put forward should be accredited in line with current RTPI education policy.

The role of the Chair of the Accreditation Board is to coordinate the discussion and facilitate decision-making and to provide the RTPI with a report on the Board’s decisions. This one- off role ends if accreditation is granted.

The Vice Chair supports the Chair during the accreditation process. The Vice Chair may be expected to deputise on behalf of the Chair in exceptional circumstances, subject to the prior agreement of RTPI Education Officers/Secretariat.

The Chair assumes a leadership role within the Partnership Board and is the key link between the Planning School and the RTPI.

The Chair of the Partnership Board is responsible for:

• Chairing meetings and setting the agenda in collaboration with the Head of School
• Encouraging attendance at the Partnership Board meeting and where full attendance is not possible, ensures that all Board members are consulted on important matters
• Approving the meeting minutes as a true reflection of the Board meeting. Draft minutes prepared by the Planning School must be shared with the Chair for approval within two weeks of the Board meeting
• Completing the Chair’s Report which should be sent to the RTPI no later than four weeks after receiving the minutes
• Ensuring that the views of Board members are represented in key decisions. All key Partnership Board decisions (other than those relating to the accreditation of new courses and to the School meeting the Effective Planning School criteria, which have to be unanimous) must be taken by majority decision, where the Chair has the casting vote. If the Board is unable to reach a decision in relation to accreditation the Chair may wish to postpone the decision pending receipt of further information and seek to reconvene the Board at a later date.

In addition, newly appointed Chairs are encouraged to make early contact with the Planning School where possible to develop rapport with key members of teaching staff and familiarise themselves with the Planning School and its accredited programme portfolio.

The Vice Chair’s role requires a broad overview of the planning profession in relation to planning education, developments in training and CPD and a keen interest in promoting membership, lifelong learning and professional competence. The Vice Chair supports the Chair of the Partnership Board. The Vice Chair may be expected to deputise on behalf of the Chair in exceptional circumstances, subject to prior agreement with the RTPI. The Vice Chair is expected to have some knowledge of the operation of higher education, and of RTPI education policy.

You are first appointed as a PAP Member before being allocated a Partnership Board, Accreditation Board or Dialogue Member role, on recommendation of RTPI Education Officers to the Chair and Vice Chair of the PAP.