The article has been written by the RTPI Membership team

At the RTPI, we recognise that planners working in the public sector face unique challenges and require tailored support compared to those in private practice.

Our focus on member value—through initiatives like the Member Value Project—means we’re constantly listening, learning, and improving how we serve every member of our community.

As we wrap up the year, here’s a look at what we’ve achieved together to support public sector planners:

• Builds professional connections: The RTPI continues to connect planners enabling peer-to-peer learning in our regions, networks and committees.  
  
  
• Inspiring the next generation: Through campaigns such as Planning Your World and IT takes planners & you the RTPI helps the public understand the difference planners make and inspires future professionals.
• Influencing planning policy: The RTPI engages directly with governments and chief planners across the UK & Ireland on your behalf to guide the progress of planning reforms and unlocking resources for local planning authorities.
• Sharing essential insights: Through research, staff blogs, and The Planner magazine, the RTPI provides members with the latest intelligence on policy developments and industry trends. Our 2025 State of Profession report looks at the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing planners in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
  
  
• Engaging with politicians: The RTPI engages politicians regularly to help them understand your work and challenges better, securing key amendments to important planning legislation, serving on working groups in Westminster and the devolved nations and in our Politicians in Planning Network.
  
  
• Strengthening global connections: Through the Planning is Global programme and international visits, the RTPI continues to engage planners worldwide.
  
  
• Supporting professional development: Members benefit from a wide range of free and discounted events and training opportunities, with additional discounts available for local authority members.
  
  
• Simplifying membership: The RTPI recently launched a streamlined online membership application system which is a more accessible way to join and progress membership.
  
  
• Refreshing our identity: This year, the RTPI introduced a new brand that better reflects who we are, what we stand for, and how we support our members, volunteers, and the wider planning profession.
  
  
• Launching global mentoring: The RTPI introduced a global mentoring programme to connect members across regions and support their career development.
  
  
• Partnering to build capacity: The RTPI has been selected as a preferred delivery partner for the Planning Skills Fund, a new five-year industry programme aimed at increasing skills and capacity in Local Planning Authorities across the UK. The programme fund is being led and managed by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), with the training bursary process delivered by the RTPI.

A member’s perspective

Amelia Mistry, Principal Planning Officer/interim manager at Leicestershire County Council and an RTPI assessor, said: “As a local authority planning professional, it’s safe to say that RTPI membership has been critical to my development. Over the years I’ve undoubtedly benefitted from access to a wide range of advice and support services which have helped me endlessly with my career development right from being a student member. 

"There are free technical webinars, free online digital e-learning modules and opportunities to attend discounted high quality training events (with excellent catering!) and networking with the best of the profession in specialist areas.

"Over recent years, I’ve learned an exceptional amount from the sharing of good practice and information with my co-assessors through the L-APC and Apprenticeship route to chartership and even more so from the talented applicants coming through the assessment process from a wide range of varied backgrounds. Overall, it’s an organisation there to support you, and each other.”

You belong to a community of over 27,000 planners worldwide. We exist to support you, your career, and the wider planning profession. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you. We will continue to advocate for resourcing of the sector, and for the respect and recognition you deserve.