news
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) joined the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in welcoming the appointment of Paul Morrell OBE as the first ever Chief Construction Adviser to Government. The new role will help to bring industry and key decision-makers closer together, which will be vital in facing the challenges that the 21st century, and specifically climate change, will bring.
One of Paul Morrell’s first tasks will be to take over the Innovation & Growth Team (IGT) strategic review of the sector. This was launched last September by Lord Mandelson with the appointment of Keith Clarke, chief executive of Atkins, as interim chairman.
Keith Clarke, who is also chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) said: “This is a tremendous appointment, both in the quality of the selected candidate and the fact that Government sees such strategic leadership as a priority for the construction industry. Paul Morrell’s considerable experience will prove a valuable asset in providing the vital bridge between Government in its role as client, regulator and industry supporter, and the diverse construction and engineering community itself.
“His appointment comes at a crucial time because Government and industry is considering the improvements that need to be made to the UK’s major infrastructure to make sure it remains fit for purpose. We are facing multiple challenges in the transition to a low carbon economy and the engineering and construction sectors must play an absolutely fundamental role. It is therefore vital we have a roadmap for success and that there is someone making sure everyone follows it.”
John McDonough, chairman of the CBI Construction Council said: “The CBI welcomes Paul Morrell’s appointment. There is now a great opportunity to move the industry forward, and the CBI Construction Council looks forward to working with the Chief Construction Adviser on a range of key issues including the Innovation & Growth Team and the wider importance of the Government's infrastructure investment programme in relation to the UK economy, the Government's sustainabilty and carbon reduction targets, and to training and employment".
Bristol builder becomes Britain’s No 1 Tradesman: Nick Orchard wins national title.
After a nationwide search by TrustMark to find Britain’s top tradesman, Bristol builder Nick Orchard has beaten off stiff competition to be named as Britain’s No 1 tradesman.
Our warm congratulations go to Federation of Master Builders (FMB) member Nick Orchard of England’s Finest Property Services Ltd from Bristol, who has been named as the UK’s number one tradesman, as a result of a nationwide search carried out by the Government endorsed standards organisation, TrustMark.
TrustMark launched the search in August to find the nation’s top tradesmen. Entries were received from tradesmen all over the country from a whole range of different trades including builders, plumbers, electricians, decorators, glaziers, and landscape gardeners. Nick has won a year’s membership with TrustMark and £4000. Nick won the award for his work on converting and transforming a small, damp cellar into a light, airy, friendly and useable utility room and cloakroom. The job included moving the toilet and pipes as well as installing custom made cupboards.
Nick Orchard of England’s Finest Property Services Ltd said:
“I am thrilled to have been named the UK’s top tradesman. It’s great to have your hard work appreciated and to be noticed. I always aim to complete projects to the highest level. When you leave a site and know that the client has been impressed and is pleased with what you have achieved for them, it’s a great feeling.”
“I am thrilled to have been named the UK’s top tradesman. It’s great to have your hard work appreciated and to be noticed. I always aim to complete projects to the highest level. When you leave a site and know that the client has been impressed and is pleased with what you have achieved for them, it’s a great feeling.”
Richard Diment, Director-General of the FMB said:
“It’s fantastic that Nick has been recognized as the top ten tradesman in the UK. The FMB is the sign of building quality so it’s fitting that an FMB member has been recognised in this way. In fact three other FMB members made it into the top ten too. All our FMB Trustmark registered members can give consumers added protection by offering them insurance protection through their membership of the National Register of Warranted Builders.”
“It’s fantastic that Nick has been recognized as the top ten tradesman in the UK. The FMB is the sign of building quality so it’s fitting that an FMB member has been recognised in this way. In fact three other FMB members made it into the top ten too. All our FMB Trustmark registered members can give consumers added protection by offering them insurance protection through their membership of the National Register of Warranted Builders.”
Roman Russocki, Chief Executive of TrustMark, said:
"Rogue traders and cowboy builders are a real problem for homeowners. What we set out to do was separate the good from the bad and highlight the best that British tradesmen have to offer to give them the recognition they deserve. The standard of entries was extremely high and it wasn’t easy coming up with the top ten shortlist. Nick should be very proud of his place on the list.”
"Rogue traders and cowboy builders are a real problem for homeowners. What we set out to do was separate the good from the bad and highlight the best that British tradesmen have to offer to give them the recognition they deserve. The standard of entries was extremely high and it wasn’t easy coming up with the top ten shortlist. Nick should be very proud of his place on the list.”
Photo courtesy of VisMedia
Influencing best practice in the UK nuclear sector
By Don Ward, Constructing Excellence
The Government published its consultation on its National Policy Statements, including on nuclear power, on November 9. These set out the forward strategy for a major programme of new nuclear power stations, including at Hinkley Point and Oldbury.
The two biggest clients in the sector, EDF Energy and Eon-Npower, have both joined Constructing Excellence as national corporate members, and Constructing Excellence has supported three supplier events with over 1100 people attending, in London, Newmarket and most recently Loxton in Somerset on October 30, under the banner of the Nuclear Industries’ Association (NIA) - see www.nuclearsupplychain.comfor a lot more information.
The main engagement was to facilitate e-voting to gain immediate, honest and anonymous feedback on delegates’ views, to probe which issues people found important, and to understand the need for further support. In Bridgwater Don also took over from Lord O’Neill to chair the final session of the day. The event was successful in improving delegates’ understanding of the programme, as the following extract from the e-voting shows:
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"How well do you understand the scope and schedule of UK nuclear newbuild?"
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Start of the day
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End of the day
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Very well
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13
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21
|
|
Well
|
9
|
47
|
|
Quite well
|
21
|
29
|
|
Not well
|
42
|
3
|
|
Not at all well
|
16
|
0
|
It is clear that there are higher standards of quality and health and safety required in this sector, as well as a whole new language (for example, SQEPing = Suitably Qualified and Experienced People), but leading construction businesses should not be deterred from investigating where the opportunities may lie, and Constructing Excellence hopes to work nationally and regionally to demystify the construction aspects of this massive programme.
Becca Eastman from South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership writes:
Our climate is changing. Warmer, drier summers; milder, wetter winters; and more frequent and extreme severe weather events will increasingly bring both challenges and opportunities for the Housing and Construction industry. The long-lifetime of the built environment makes it essential that both new developments and existing buildings are able to cope with the effects of climate change.
The South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP) is strengthening its links with Constructing Excellence SW and Future Foundations, in order to support the Housing and Construction sector prepare for the impacts of climate change.
A number of tools and resources to help you understand and prepare for the consequences of climate change are available on the SWCCIP website at www.oursouthwest.com/climate/tools.htm#hc . Case studies are also available at www.oursouthwest.com/climate/casestudies.htm that provide examples of practical adaptation actions. Additional case studies are always welcome so if you have been involved with a construction or retrofit project that has incorporated adaptation measures, please contact Becca Eastman, SWCCIP Project Officer, on 01392 352230 or email becca.eastman@environment-agency.gov.uk
Within a successful society the implementation of equality and diversity is not seen as an add-on, but something integral to the effective working of any project.
Who is the Toolkit aimed at?
It is aimed at built environment professionals and all those involved in the commissioning, planning, design, construction and evaluation of capital build projects.
What is the Toolkit’s Purpose?
This Toolkit is designed to support equality and diversity at all stages of the design and construction process for capital builds, from initial plans through to completion and building use. While the focus is on inclusive design and capital projects the principles and approaches are relevant to all types of building projects.
The Toolkit is designed to make a complex set of requirements as straightforward as possible. Working through it will help fulfil statutory obligations and ensure a high quality, fully accessible capital build.
The aim of the Toolkit is to integrate equality and diversity within the planning and design processes and to use tools that dovetail with existing statutory or legislative requirements within capital developments.
Download the Toolkit here
In some areas of our region we have brand new homes but considerable anti social behaviour. It has been shown that people actually prefer to live in substandard homes where there is a good community spirit and a safe environment.
All that we construct must add to societal and community value. We cannot build a better South West simply according to narrow commercial factors. We must look to enhance the health and well being of our communities. In the coming months Future Foundations will explore and inform further in the area of Sustainable Communities.
See www.buildsw.org.uk/sustainable_communities for an overview of some of the current activity in the region .
If you would like to download the presentation from the Sustainable Communities Conference held at Exeter Corn Exchange on July 14, please go to: http://www.sustainablebuild.org/sustainable_communities_pres.html
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Thomas Store |
Christos Vidalakis |
Two new staff have joined the CESW and Future Foundations team. Thomas Store will help us in SW region work toward an adoption of whole life carbon principles and Christos Vidalakis will look at Sustainable Procurement – you can read their introductions to the subject in the Future Foundations area of the website.
The 17 Charter Principles document prepared by the Future Foundations team still remains an excellent introductory guide to anyone attempting to achieve an understanding of the scope of the sustainable construction agenda.
The Southwest Sustainability Checklist www.checklistsouthwest.co.ukalso developed by Future Foundations was equally pioneering and remains a useful and free guide for use at the design and planning application stages of a new development.
As we go forward we are concerned to fully embed good practice at every stage of construction projects in the region. We will list articles and case studies per building type for regional projects so as to aid quick adaptation of successful approaches to sustainable construction. See the Future Foundations sustainable construction page For Building Type for further details.
Women in Construction Action Network
The Action Network is providing valuable access to training that will help to facilitate ‘job readiness’ and proactively encourage network opportunities for women working in the construction industry in the North West. It will also provide a valuable source of information for those women wishing to find out more about entering the industry.
The Action Network is and Website has been developed and is managed by CCI and is part of a wider project – The Women & Work: Sector Pathways initiative, funded by ConstructionSkills
The project aims to help get women into work in construction, but also to help women already working in the sector to get further training in order to develop their careers.
To find out more about Women in Construction Action Network go to www.wicnet.org.uk
SWRDA Social Mobility Toolkit
Within a successful society the implementation of equality and diversity is not seen as an add-on, but something integral to the effective working of any project.
Who is the Toolkit aimed at?
It is aimed at built environment professionals and all those involved in the commissioning, planning, design, construction and evaluation of capital build projects.
What is the Toolkit’s Purpose?
This Toolkit is designed to support equality and diversity at all stages of the design and construction process for capital builds, from initial plans through to completion and building use. While the focus is on inclusive design and capital projects the principles and approaches are relevant to all types of building projects.
The Toolkit is designed to make a complex set of requirements as straightforward as possible. Working through it will help fulfil statutory obligations and ensure a high quality, fully accessible capital build.
The aim of the Toolkit is to integrate equality and diversity within the planning and design processes and to use tools that dovetail with existing statutory or legislative requirements within capital developments.
Download the Toolkit here
An effective and very inexpensive way of briefing your client on CDM and also to train your staff.
CESW have worked in partnership with the Health & Safety Executive, RIBA Devon County Council and BANES to produce a 20-minute film for clients to assist CPD and awareness in health and safety from a client perspective. The film is now for sale here
The film has received the following endorsement from the Construction Clients Group:
"Any responsible business or organisation in the public or private sector (client) that needs to carry out a construction project will want to do the right thing, first time. Be it a doctor's surgery extension, hairdresser's refurbishment, school development, new house or building a bridge - all good clients will want to make sure whatever is built, is done safely - as well as on time and on budget, and whatever is built is safe to use. This DVD sets out in simple clear terms what key safety points need to be addressed and where to get help. Real life projects are discussed in a meaningful way. If anything, this DVD probably demystifies most written text and communications over the last 10 years and is something which the Construction Client Group endorses without exception"
James Preston-Hood Construction Clients Group
___________________________________________
CPD Films for Architects
CESW have built a reputation for providing quality films as CPD for architects in collaboration with RIBA, BBC and the HSE. For more details and to order copies, please visit the Squared Circle website, using the links below:
Squared Circle HOME PAGE
Squared Circle SALES
To view footage from the DVDS: DVD Library
CESW FF plan further films on sustainability topics. If you are interested please contact Tom Harper via the Contact Us page of this website.
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