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news
Date created: 27/06/2008 |
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• A Batty Request!
Have you had work held up because of bats in loft spaces? FMB has been contacted by a production company wishing to find out more about the consequences and costs of such delays, and the impact of Natural England or the Bat Conservation Trust getting involved. If you've had such an experience please call Jayne Curtis at FMB Head Office on 0207 242 7583.
• HSE deal may net 4,000 new helpers
HSE in Bucks, Herts and Beds are trialling a new scheme where building control officers will report dangerous working practices to HSE as part of their normal site visits.
HSE only has 5 inspectors in that area, so on average each workplace is inspected every 14 years! Under this pilot scheme a further 200-300 building control officers will be bolstering the regime. They will initially focus on high risk activities such as working at height, asbestos and workplace transport, particularly on small sites. This could be rolled out nationally after 6 months if its a success. For more on the HSE visit www.hse.gov.uk
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Congratulations to C G Pitcher & Son
C G Pitcher & Son, based in Bournemouth, have won the SME category Award at the prestigious South West Built Environment Awards, sponsored by CIOB/Constructing Excellence.
This award is made to small firms who have made strides in improving their company through implementing best practice in both people and processes, including health & safety.
Good luck to C G Pitcher & Son in the National Competition.
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Essential Advice from FMB:
(for members only)
Health & Safety
FMB Members can claim up to twenty minutes free advice, ten times a year from experienced construction health and safety professionals.
General Tel: 0870 241 4772
Asbestos Tel: 0844 669 1185
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Taxation helplines
Unlimited telephone advice from skilled advisors - many being former Tax or Contributions Agency Officers - on TAX, PAYE, NIC and VAT issues.
TAX, PAYE, NIC
Tel: 0844 561 8119
VAT
Tel: 0844 561 8120
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Legal Helpline
FMB has a dedicated legal helpline operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Fridays
Tel: 020 7242 7583
Or call us at the Regional Office: 01732 771553
We're here to help!
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External Affaire
Date created: 13/06/2008 |
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Federation of Master Builders (FMB)
External Affairs E-mail Bulletin
Issue 37
13th June 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the FMB External Affairs E-mail Bulletin. This is a weekly publication prepared by the FMB External Affairs Department. It aims to keep FMB members and opinion formers up-to-date with relevant information relating to policy, press, regulation and the wider work of the External Affairs Department. We hope you find this a useful resource. You may also wish to visit the External Affairs home page.
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This Week in External Affairs
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New Sustainable Construction Strategy
Richard Diment, Director-General of the FMB was present at the launch of the Government’s new sustainable construction strategy. The strategy is intended to help deliver the aims of the UK’s Sustainable Development Strategy and is focused on increasing profitability by using resources more efficiently; firms securing opportunities offered by sustainable products or ways of working; and enhancing company image and profile in the market place by addressing issues relation to Corporate Social Responsibility. More
FMB Speaks to Housing Minister
Brian Berry, FMB Director of External Affairs, met with Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Housing, at a housing breakfast meeting on 12 June. Brian Berry asked the Minister what the Government was going to do to tackle the existing housing stock to make it more energy efficient and greener to help meet the Government’s stated objective to cut carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. The Minister reiterated existing policies but offered no new initiatives. She also raised concerns about cowboy builders. Brian Berry offered the Minister the opportunity to meet to with the FMB to work how best to eliminate rogue traders.
FMB Judges Headline Property Journalist Awards 2008
FMB was present at the inaugural Headline Property Awards on 12 June in central London. Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, judged one of the categories and the overall winner of property journalist of the year award went to Anne Ashworth, Editor of Bricks and Mortar, the Times Friday supplement. Brian Berry and Jayne Curtis, FMB Media and Communications Manager were both guests of honour at the event.
FMB responds to CLG consultation on the Future of Building Control
Following a mass survey of its members, the FMB has submitted its response to the government consultation on the future of building control services and the building regulations. Members were overwhelmingly in favour of adopting the proposed “risk based” approach to inspection, the stabilisation of the building regulations through staggered review periods, project based guidance, and ending the practice of using building notices for new buildings. The members also supported the issuing of stop notices for serious breaches of the regulations, but strongly opposed the idea of allowing fixed penalty fines, fearing their use as a stealth tax. FMB Policy Manger Peter O’Connell has reiterated his thanks to all of those who responded.
Queen’s Speech - 3rd December 2008
The Leader of the House of Commons has confirmed that this year's Queen's Speech will be on Wednesday 3rd December. The speech sets out the Government's legislative agenda for the coming session of Parliament.
Environmental Permits
In England and Wales environmental permits have now replaced pollution prevention and control (PPC) permits and waste management licences (WMLs). The process is now quicker and cheaper for many businesses. If you previously held a PPC permit or WML, you will have been automatically transferred to the new regime. More
Site Waste Plan Managment Training Free Workshops
Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) are an important tool for improving environmental performance, meeting regulatory controls (in England) and reducing the rising costs of disposing of construction waste. WRAP and ENvirowise have put together a one day course, which will take place at various venues around the UK, to show you how your company can adopt a good practice approach to implementing SWMPs. More
Tool Box Jury needs you
CONSTRUCTOR magazine is launching a new feature in which three contractors are given a new piece of equipment to use, evaluate and keep. Would you like to take part? More
FMB in the news
In the last week the FMB has had coverage in the following media outlets:
Chamberlink; Your Canterbury; Contract Journal X2; Rossendale Free press; Findaproperty.com; Northern Star; Harlow Herald; Basingstoke Observer; Roofing; Project Scotland x 2; Contract Flooring Journal; Construction Manager; Warrington midweek; Your Thanet; Your Swale; Your Shepway; Your Medway; Your Maidstone; Your Dover; Swindon Gazette and Herald; Salford Advertiser; Chippenham Gazette & Herald; Advertiser (North and East Manchester); Workington Times & Star; Inverness and Nairnshire Herald; Accrington Observer; The News (Portsmouth); Lochaber News: Portsmouth Today; Evening News 24 (web); KBB review x 2; Evening Gazette (teeside); Marlborough - Pewsey Gazette & Herald; WhiteHaven News; Rhyl & Prestatyn Journal; Evening News; Northern Echo; Shropshire Star
For details of recent television, radio and national press coverage click here
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Industry News
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Keep your eyes on the prize, says Caroline Flint
Minister for housing says it’s impossible to ignore the credit crunch, but housebuilders must remain innovative and ambitious if we are to meet our targets of more affordable, zero-carbon housing. More
Government signs up to 30-day payments
Contractors could be forced to shorten payment periods for their supply chains on public sector contracts after government clients signed up to a set of construction standards this week. More
Government sets targets to improve construction
Goals to tackle skills shortage, climate change and health and safety. More
CIOB backs anti-cowboy powers for councils
Institute supports government plan to empower local authorities to halt illegal or dangerous building work. More
Skills shortage still hurting contractors
Industry is not doing enough to address contractors' concerns over growing skills crisis according to report. More
Saudis build desert city from scratch
City of 2 million people to be built by 2020 in wave of major development projects to transform kingdom's economy. More
Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008
The search for the new Master Builder of the Year 2008 is underway. Supported by Nissan, these awards demonstrate to the public the outstanding work carried out by professional builders in the UK every day. The awards this year will be presented by Naomi Cleaver at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 13 November 2008. More
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Sustainability
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Eco refurbishment expert wins Observer award
Parity Projects founder, Russell Smith, is named do-it-yourself champion at national newspaper Ethical Awards. Russell recently led a workshop for the FMB London Region, in conjunction with Croudon Councill called "Eco Domestic Property Refurbishment: A Practical Approach. Russell will also be speaking ath the Building a Greener Britain conference next month. More
TV celebrity joins march against Sussex eco-town
Ben Fogle among objectors to proposal for site near Arundel, in the latest of a series of eco-town protests. More
Government hints at existing stock policies
Sustainable construction strategy claims Whitehall is “exploring policies” that go beyond current programmes. More
Olympic materials supplier to smash Green targets
Materials giant Aggregate Industries has told the Olympic Delivery Authority it can beat its environmental targets.More
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Consultations
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Throughout the course of the year the External Affairs Department responds to numerous Government consultations. To view recent FMB submissions click here
Part G of the Building Regulations - new consultation paper
The Government is consulting on new proposals to revise Part G of the Building Regulations addressing sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency in buildings. The paper follows a wide ranging review of Part G and delivers on two Government commitments. First, to introduce into Building Regulations a whole-building water efficiency standard of 125 litres per person per day for new homes; and secondly, to review Part G and the associated guidance addresses hot water safety. The consultation can be accessed via the Department for Communities and Local Government website and closes on 05 August 2008.
Members wishing to comment and/or respond to this consultation should contact FMB Policy Manager, Peter O'Connell at peteroconnell@fmb.org.uk.
DCLG launch consultation on the future of building control
The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched its much awaited consultation on the future of building control, which will run until 10 June. The FMB will be consulting widely with its membership and if you have any views please e-mail them to FMB Policy Manager, Peter O'Connell at peteroconnell@fmb.org.uk.
For more information on the consultation please click here
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Campaigns
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Building a Greener Britain
Beware the Doorknockers
Save our Lofts
Cut the VAT
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Federation of Master Builders
Gordon Fisher House
14 - 15 Great James Street
London, WC1N 3DP
Tel: 0870 162 0936
Fax: 020 7405 0854
E-mail: richardhyslop@fmb.org.uk
Web: www.fmb.org.uk
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Economy
Date created: 31/05/2008 |
| New home starts plummet
Published: 30 May 2008 14:47 Author: Myles Burke More by this Author Last Updated: 30 May 2008 14:47 Reader Responses
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The number of applications from builders to start new homes is down by more than a quarter year-on-year, as the effect of the credit crunch forces more builders to slow down activity on site.
Statistics from insurance provider NHBC reveal there were 37,762 new homes start applications in the UK in the three months from February to April 2008 down from 41,736 - a 27 per cent decrease on the same three month period a year ago.
Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC chief executive, said: "The drop in housing starts continues to reflect the difficult market conditions being experienced by house builders."
Of the total number of applications,28,492 related to private sector activity, showing a 32 per cent decrease on the same three month period in 2007.
"Activity by private house builders was particularly low in April this year," said Farookhi. "Our latest figures show that in April this year 8,443 new homes were started for private sale - the lowest number of starts in this sector, apart from December when activity is traditionally low, since our accessible monthly records began in 1986."
Housing association figures fell less sharply in the three months to the end of April, with applications totalling 9,270 - down from 9,729 the same period a year ago.
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Wages
Date created: 31/05/2008 |
| BATJIC Wage Settlement
The Joint Secretaries of the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) announce that they had reached an agreement on increases to wage rates following a detailed submission from the Union side.
After months of long and very difficult negotiations, BATJIC has reached an agreement that it considers to be fair to both sides.
The new basic hourly rates (based on a 39 hour week) and applying between Monday, 9 June 2008 and Sunday, 7 June 2009 will be:
S/NVQ3 Qualified Operative £10.41 (previously £10.06)
S/NVQ2 Qualified Operative £8.95 (previously £8.65)
Adult General Operative £7.73 (previously £7.40)
The settlement also makes changes to skill rates, apprentice rates, daily fare allowances and death benefits.
Bob Blackman (the union side Joint Secretary) said:
"These negotiations were even more difficult this year than last and certainly the most difficult I have been involved with for some time. However, I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that gives a meaningful increase in pay to construction workers across the UK, and one that continues to reward those who are prepared to undertake training and provide the skills that our industry needs."
Richard Diment (the employers' side Joint Secretary) said:
"The difficulties in reaching an agreement are a direct consequence of the economic difficulties the country is facing. In negotiation with our union colleagues, we had to strike a balance between the needs of the employees on whom our members' businesses depend, and who are suffering from rising prices and taxes, and the need to take into account the worrying drop in workloads experienced by members as a result of the credit crunch. Our members need to remain competitive in order to preserve jobs, they also need to be able to attract the skills that they need in order to continue to provide high quality building services. I feel confident that this agreement will achieve this."
27 May 2008
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FMB
Date created: 31/05/2008 |
| 72 per cent of MPs Support Cut in VAT
A massive 72 per cent of MPs support a cut in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent for all building repair and maintenance work according to new research carried out by ComRes on behalf of the 'Cut the VAT' Coalition.
Richard Hyslop, Coalition Coordinator said, "With the vast majority of MPs supporting a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work and with a majority of MPs from each of the three main political parties supporting a cut in VAT, the time for excuses is over; the Government must act now and cut this pernicious tax."
Hyslop continued, "Reducing VAT on building repair and maintenance work would help end the scandal of empty homes, reduce the number of families living in substandard housing, stop the destruction of existing buildings, tackle fuel poverty and increase the number of zero-carbon homes."
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builder concluded, "We are delighted that so many MPs support a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work. Cowboy builders flourish by evading VAT so reducing the rate of VAT on domestic building work to 5 per cent will significantly reduce their commercial advantage and the financial incentive to choose a rogue will diminish. In time, this will drive the rogue traders out of the market as customers focus on quality and value not just price."
20 May 2008
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