Our professional team of planners at ethical partnership have all welcomed the news that the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has recently published its updated Code of Professional Conduct (the Code).
The RTPI’s five key principles that govern professional behaviours, ethics and practice of planners remain in place and are strengthened by additional clauses. Importantly, the fundamental requirement for members to “exercise fearlessly and impartially their independent professional judgement to the best of their skill and understanding” remains a central part of the Code.
Members have been calling for supporting guidance and illustrative case studies on its application. This will be completed by April and we’ll feature this as soon as its available.
John Jennings senior associate at Ethical partnership and a planner for more than 35 years saif that he “strongly supports the need for planners to continue to inspire trust and confidence and to at all times deliver the ‘public interest’ objective in our Royal Charter”.
Key changes to the Code
Introduction – A new section explaining the reasons and benefits of a Code of Conduct to our customers, and giving greater prominence to the five core principles: Competence, honesty and integrity; Independent professional judgement; Due care and diligence; Equality and respect; and Professional behaviour
Competence, honesty and integrity – Existing clauses have been reordered and new practice includes: responsibility of managers to support the CPD of other professional employees; undertaking work within scope of competence; and not offering or accepting inducements to influence decisions or professional views.
Independent professional judgement – Existing clauses have been reordered and new practice includes disclosure of RTPI membership as a mark of professional standing. The expectation to act fearlessly and impartially is retained following support from Members during last year’s consultation. RTPI’s Code is unique amongst professional institutes in this regard.
Due care and diligence – Existing clauses have been reordered for ease of use and terms updated.
Equality and respect – Existing clauses have been reordered for ease of use and terms updated.
Professional behaviour – Existing clauses have been reordered and new practice includes upholding the reputation of the Institute reflecting the requirement in RTPI Bye-laws.
The updated Code can be viewed here.