Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles is announcing for the interest of the public that the Trinidad and Tobago Council for Urban and Regional Planners has been appointed.
There has been a call for regulation of the urban and regional planning profession dating back to July, 1968 when a Tripartite Building Construction Sub-Committee was appointed to examine and make necessary recommendations. The Council supports this need and benefit citizens through the prompt approval of plans for residential, industrial and commercial development; and the establishment of a central coordinating Government Authority which would expedite and co-ordinate the approval of all plans.
This Council will facilitate the mandate of the Urban and Regional Planning Profession Act, No. 22 of 2020, which was assented to on July 3rd, 2020 with its main objective being to provide for the regulation of Urban and Regional Planners in Trinidad and Tobago through a council. The Act was partially proclaimed on July 25th, 2023. The full operation of the Urban and Regional Planning Profession Act will also advance the Planning and Facilitation of Development Act, No. 10 of 2014, as amended by Act No. 1 of 2019 (PAFD Act) towards full proclamation and implementation.
The PAFD Act provides for the devolution of planning functions related to simple development to municipal corporations and the Tobago House of Assembly referred to as ‘planning authorities’. It also establishes the National Physical Planning Authority of Trinidad and as an independent body responsible for the administration and facilitation of development of land and the regulation of buildings in keeping with updated land development policies, building codes, standards and the National Spatial Development Strategy. Urban and Regional Planners regulated by a council will be an important component of this new planning regime.
The functions of the Council are to:
(a) Keep the administration of the Act under review when so required by the Planning and Development Minister (to whom responsibility for urban and regional planning is assigned) or otherwise as it thinks fit, submit recommendations to the Minister.
(b) Register and license urban and regional planners and monitor adherence to the Code of Ethics;
(d) Institute disciplinary proceedings;
(e) Periodically review application fees;
(f) Suspend or revoke registration or licences of Urban and Regional Planners;
(g) Place or remove a name on the Register;
(h) Collect prescribed fees; and
(i) Perform other functions as may be required by any other written law which are reasonably incidental in giving effect to the Act.
The appointed members of the Council are: Dr. Asad Mohammed, Chair; Mr. Stephen Boodram, Deputy P.S., Ministry of Health; Ms. Grace Les Fouris; Ms. Andrea N. Julien- Attorney-at-law, Ministry of Planning and Development; Dr. Ancil Kirk – State Planner and Ms. Jessé A. Robinson – State Planner, both with the Town and Country Planning Division and Ms. Akilah T. Jaramogi – Representing the public interest.
