2006
The practice operates
in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct of the Royal Town Planning
Institute.
This provides, in relation to acceptance of commissions for work, that:
7 (a) Before commencing work on any commission, members shall ensure that their terms of engagement have been given and confirmed in writing to their clients, and shall satisfy themselves that these terms have been accepted.
and that:
7 (b) Members shall
notify their clients in writing before undertaking work or incurring fees or expenses
additional to those previously agreed and shall satisfy themselves that the necessary
instructions have been received.
Fee rates will be agreed with the Director prior to starting a Commission and will be charged at an hourly rate on the basis of time spent on the project or per day based on an 8eight hour day.
A detailed schedule will
be kept of time spent on the following activities:
· meetings with the client, with any other consultants or advisers associated
with Pthe work, or with relevant organisations, local
residents or groups
· meetings with the local authorities, and other development agencies
· all technical work including research into planning policies and the
history of gdevelopment on the site or its immediate
surroundings
· survey work or data processing
· site visits to the project or to related sites
· time spent travelling in connection with the work
· preparation and submission of reports, drawings, planning applications
· briefing and managing any sub-consultants
· receipt and processing of correspondence, telephone calls and e-mails
· writing, editing, proof reading, correcting and processing reports
· community involvement and consultation procedures
· presentation of findings and follow-up work as agreed with the client
VAT
The practice is
registered for VAT
Sub-contractors' fees
All fees and charges
submitted by other specialists subcontracted by prior agreement with the client
shall be the responsibility of and payable by the client.
Local Authority fees
and charges
All local authority fees and charges shall be the responsibility of and payable
by the client.
Delays
The practice will
use its best endeavours to meet an agreed programme of work for the project but
cannot accept any responsibility for costs incurred as a result of delays beyond
its control.
Expenses
The following costs
are normally added to fee accounts as expenses:
· photocopying and
plan printing
· photography
· Ordnance Survey maps
· publications (e.g. local plans)
· travel: either based on standard class rail or air fares or at the fixed
car mileage Prate of
40p per mile, whichever is appropriate.
· local authority charges for pre-application meetings (where applicable)
· accommodation and subsistence when an overnight or daily stay is either
Pnecessary or cheaper than the alternative reasonable
travel arrangement
· courier charges or other special delivery charges.
Payment of accounts
Accounts will be
submitted on completion of agreed stages of work, or on a monthly basis, for payment
within 28 days, unless otherwise agreed.
Outstanding accounts
The practice reserves the right to add interest to accounts outstanding after
28 days at 4% above the bank rate.
The practice will not continue to work on projects where there are accounts outstanding
after 56 days.
