Planning job trend surveyed

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has launched a survey to discover why a growing proportion of its members are choosing private sector jobs over traditional local authority roles.

This year local authority employees represent just 43 per cent of membership, down from 54 per cent in 2000. The RTPI wants to know if this is part of a natural evolution within town planning or if planners are moving into the private sector in response to negative experiences working for local authorities.

The head of policy at the RTPI, Rynd Smith, said: "We are receiving anecdotal feedback from RTPI members employed by local authorities that suggests many are becoming dissatisfied with their jobs. As well as frustration at a lack of professional development and limited career progression opportunities there is also an element of resentment at a number of significant wage cuts which have resulted from recent job evaluation processes.

"Many also feel that they have become rubber stamp bureaucrats as a result of an emerging target culture which values speed over quality decision making."

Access the survey on the RTPI's website

Roger Milne

12 June 2008