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CIC Cascade21 September 2004
1. CIC publishes 3rd DQI Newsletter CIC has published the 3rd edition of its DQI newsletter, articles include the latest news about facilitation, developments and the DQI AGM ‘the way forward’. Read the full newsletter Further details on the DQI AGM ‘the way forward’, 13 October 2004 can be found on the DQI events page. The Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering’s Women in Plumbing Group is going from strength to strength. Hailed as a much needed voice in the plumbing industry, the Group aims to promote awareness of, and support to, women working in the plumbing industry and to encourage women to consider building their careers in this highly skilled profession. But the Women in Plumbing Group is not just about women. Whilst the WPG’s primary aim is to offer a supportive network to women who may feel isolated working in a predominantly male environment, the Group welcomes and values the support of male colleagues and its meetings are open to anyone with an interest in the Group’s broader aims and objectives. For further details on the WPG and its plann ed one day conference ‘Breaking Down Barriers, Exploring Opportunities’ on 27 October at the RIBA contact the Secretary, Carol Cannavan on 01708 463114 or carolc@iphe.org.uk 3. Griffiths receives the final report of the Construction Act Construction Minister Nigel Griffiths has today received Sir Michael Latham's review of the operation of the Construction Act. The review, into Part II of the Housing, Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, was announced in the Budget in March. Sir Michael Latham chaired a review group drawn from the construction industry. It received reports from the chairmen of the two working groups, looking at the adjudication and payment provisions of the Act. Those reports will inform the consultation document that the DTI will issue later this year. The reports identify issues and suggest improvements that include: On adjudication:
On payment:
Other issues related to payment are discussed within the Chairman's report and Sir Michael suggests they should be part of the Government consultation Welcoming the report, Nigel Griffiths said: "Sir Michael's review and the reports of the chairmen of the working groups form an excellent basis on which the DTI can draw up consultation proposals on improving the Construction Act. I am pleased the review has shown that the law, in general, works well even though it has raised some areas to reinforce standards of fairness and efficiency for the supply chain in the construction process. I am most grateful to Sir Michael, his review group and particularly the working group chairs, Graham Watts and Richard Haryott, for all their work." Sir Michael echoed the Minister's words of thanks to the Chairmen and all involved, saying: "The review group, and especially the working groups, have worked intensively over the summer months. The reports of their Chairman have produced a valuable package of proposals for improvements to the Construction Act. The review has found that there are some difficulties in the operation of the Act, and agreements on a way forward have been hard to reach at times. But we are all agreed the industry is better off for the framework the legislation has provided. "All of the review group would wish to see the legislation strengthened and streamlined in certain respects. A firm basis of minimum standards in the contracting process is vital as the industry moves toward integrated construction supply teams and more collaborative approaches to project delivery. I am sure that clients, the industry and all interested parties will want to comment constructively on the Government's response to these proposals when DTI publishes a consultation paper later this year." The DTI's consultation paper on improving contracting under the Construction Act is expected in the Autumn. A copy of the report, and other supporting documents relating to the review of the Construction Act, can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/construction/hgcra/hgcralead.htm Further information can be obtained from the DTI, telephone 020 7215 5000 or textphone 020 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment) www.dti.gov.uk 4. ICES / ICE MUTUAL EXEMPTION AGREEMENTThe Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) is pleased to announce that the Institution now welcomes applications for membership from the Institute of Civile Engineers (ICE) Members and Fellows. In early March 2004, The ICE Council recognised the contribution that members of the ICES make to the civil engineering team by agreeing to set up an exemption route to ICE membership, based on the ICES rigorous entry process. Since then, Councils of ICE and ICES have worked closely together to establish a reciprocal exemption route for members of ICE to apply for membership of ICES. Membership principles
Applicants must have been a MICE for at least 2 years and have worked in the built environment for 12 years. ICE Fellows may be eligible to apply for Fellowship of the ICES. The application process is the same as for Member. For ICE members who are interested to apply, please submit the following documents:
All applications for membership must be supported by at least 2 Sponsors (2 ICES or 1 ICES plus one ICE) who must be current Members or Fellows of at least 3 years standing and at the same grade or above that for which the applicant is applying. Time Scale:Applications are considered by the ICES Mutual Exemption Agreement Panel. The panel normally meets 4 times a year and you will be advised of the outcome within 10 days of the Panel Meeting. For further information please contactICES Mr Paul Brown, Education, Training & Membership Officer tel 0161 972 3100 5. Employers and Students have their say on Construction Education Employers from construction companies of all sizes will shortly be asked to give their views on the ideal construction graduate. The CIOB survey, will hit the desks of 500 industry employers over the next few months and will invite respondents to provide information about their recruitment methods and the qualities that they look for in new starters. Simultaneously, universities across the UK will be hosting specialist information groups with both current students and recent graduates from construction management courses, in order to investigate their expectations and requirements regarding construction education. These groups will be discussing construction courses with a view to discovering what they rate to be the most valuable areas of study and training. These projects are the first phase of an extensive research project commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Building and led by a steering group consisting of construction industry employers, education providers and graduates. The research is jointly funded by CITB-ConstructionSkills and the CIOB and is being conducted in conjunction with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and Accelerating Change for Built Environment Education (ACBEE). The research aims to investigate the level of connectivity between construction industry employers and education providers and to research the requirements and expectations of employers, current students and graduates with regard to construction education. It is hoped that this research will facilitate greater collaboration between all stakeholders in order that construction education can develop and grow to more comprehensively fulfil the needs of students and industry employers in future. The second phase of the research, which will commence in 2005, will involve detailed discussion and consultation with education providers. For more information on this research project, please visit the CIOB website: http://www.ciob.org.uk/iande/presidentialcommission.jsp or contact Nick Marsh on 01344 630 774. 6. Wave and tidal renewable energy steps up Four organisations have joined forces to drive forward the development of wave and tidal renewable energy in response to the Government's 50 million marine development fund. The University of Edinburgh , Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen , the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney and the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Northumberland have formed the UK Centre for Marine Renewable Energy. The partnership aims to provide a coherent approach and ensure a sustained and properly equipped research, development, test and certification base to help the emerging marine energy industry provide significant renewable energy from naturally occurring wave and tidal movements. Minister for Energy, Stephen Timms, said: "I was confident that the Government's announcement of the 50 million marine development fund would stimulate this embryonic industry because wave and tidal devices are very promising. "Encouragement is important but not sufficient to capture those real opportunities. This partnership offers a real forward facing group that can facilitate the development of a sustainable marine renewable energy industry. This will help to develop test standardisation and certification, as well as training and development, which are vital to create the foundations for a sustainable marine energy industry." The marine renewable industry has already recorded some milestones including the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) launch of the first open sea test facility in the Orkney in August and the deployment of the first deep water full scale wave energy converter, Pelamis. "This agreement demonstrates that we are taking the development of marine renewable energy seriously," said Andrew Mill at EMEC. "We can offer important support directly through our test facilities and our work on standards. In other areas we would hope to offer an overview of the expertise available in the UK , and to commission work where there are gaps, to meet the skills requirements for future developments." Scotland 's Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald of Scottish Executive, said: "This is a great step forward. It is notable that three of these players are in Scotland which has so much wave and tidal potential. This development builds on the recent report from the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland , or FREDS, which shows that support for emerging technologies is vital if we want to retain our world leader status. " Scotland is already the leader in this technology but there are benefits for the whole of the UK . This approach will provide the opportunity to share our hard work to offer new energy sources to benefit the public and new economic operations." Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, who has also welcomed the partnership, said: "While wind is delivering renewable energy for the 2010 target, we are optimistic that wave and tidal opportunities will allow an increased chance for renewable energy in the future. "It is good to see industry and academics working together to meet the challenges of future energy sources." For further information please contact the DTI, www.dti.gov.uk or
telephone (0)20 7215 5000 7. Chair of CIC ’s Sustainable Development Committee to speak at All-Party Built Environment Group Conference The Chair of CIC ’s Sustainable Development Committee, Dave Hampton, will be a speaker at the forthcoming All-Party Parliamentary Built Environment Group Conference – Excellence in Design and Construction. The event will take place at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 11 October. Spending Review 2004 rekindl ed commitments to invest in the built environment. Public building work remains especially lively, with funding for school buildings growing to £5.1bn in 2005-2006 and even larger sums channell ed into modernising the hospital building stock. This comes at a time when several areas of the Building Regulations are under review and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is being transpos ed . It is important these new buildings are high quality and built to last, allowing future as well as current generations to use and enjoy them. The way that buildings interact with the environment and surrounding communities is an increasingly significant question for the construction sector. Excellence in design and construction is therefore a topical aspect of the sustainability agenda. This conference will examine the main issues introduc ed by leading stakeholders. The event will case study public buildings and refer to state-of-the-art in other developments. Acoustics, energy efficiency and fire safety all feature in design solutions that make our built environment adaptable, durable and safe. Senior representatives from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Institution of Civil Engineers, Construction Products Association, Constructing Excellence and the Construction Industry Council will give presentations on the day. There will also be a keynote speech from Phil Hope MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The conference will be of interest to architects and specifiers, building owners and developers, as well as local authority departments concern ed . Parliamentarians, government officials and key m ed ia will also be present. The cost of the conference is £150, VAT non-applicable. If you would like further details and a booking form, please contact Dominic Church, Conference Organiser, on 020 7233 5955 or email dominic.church@dial.pipex.com 8. Events The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details. |
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