DCLG yesterday launched their consultation on changes to the Building Regulations regime.  This includes a package of potential changes to support the Green Deal.  In summary, this includes new requirements for additional ‘consequential’ energy efficiency improvements where work (such as an extension or replacement windows or boilers) is already planned to an existing building and Green Deal funding is available as an option to meet the up-front costs.   Given DCLG estimate there are 200,000 extensions per year, 1.4 million boilers replacements and 1 million window replacements, this could be a significant demand driver for the Green Deal. 

In detail the proposals are:

• From October 2012 (to coincide with the introduction of the Green Deal framework) DCLG are proposing that extensions and increases in habitable space (i.e. loft or integral garage conversions) in existing homes would trigger a requirement to carry out consequential energy efficiency improvements where these were technically, economically and functionally feasible.
• From April 2014, the same requirement in existing non-domestic buildings would come into effect.
• From April 2014 there is also the possibility of further regulation so that the replacement of a domestic boiler or the replacement of multiple domestic windows would also trigger a requirement for consequential improvements.  This would be restricted to a set list of lower cost measures (e.g. draught proofing or loft insulation).

If you wish to consider responding to the consultation, the deadline for comments related to the Green Deal is 27 March 2012. Further information can be found on the DCLG website.

Fifth Meeting of 2011/12 Programme 

Venue: Village Hotel, Coryton, Cardiff
Date: Monday 6th February 2012
Time: 5.30pm for 6pm
Topic: Carbon Trust Issues

This technical session will be presented by Lee Evans from the Carbon Trust who will give an update on the work of the Carbon Trust Wales, including Local Authority Carbon Management Review in Wales.

In addition Lee will cover the forthcoming Green Deal and the recent changes in feed in tariffs.

Please note that the views expressed during technical meetings may not form part of official policy held by the Institution or the regional officers

Buffet provided
Please make every effort to attend and support the region

Wales is leading the way in the development and implementation of policies and programmes to deliver lower carbon consumption in the housing, built environment and construction sectors.

As the low carbon agenda becomes more developed and the reasons for seeking better carbon performance become more pressing, professionals practicing in a wide range of fields will be at the leading edge of innovation in the development and implementation of low carbon technologies. In research conducted by CREW and Construction Skills we have identified the full range of skills sets that professionals will require in this changing context and have developed a training programme: Developing Carbon Leadership.

The first module: Influencing Change is being delivered in four locations in Wales during February and March and we are making places available for practicing professionals in the relevant sectors in Wales to attend this first presentation of the short course. This is the first roll out of the initial stage of the extended programme and we will welcome your participation and contribution to the development of the module. Our offer of free places reflects this and later instances of the training will be charged at nearer commercial training rates.

Why should you attend?
It is inevitable in all professions that you will need to engage with the low carbon agenda both to secure future employment and to comply with conditions expected by leading contractors and commissioners of services. Perhaps more importantly, as professional people you will be required increasingly to provide leadership and influence to bring other partners to the development and implementation of low carbon approaches in a wide range of built environment applications. This course will provide you with the concepts, theories and practice to fulfil that leadership role and to ensure that you are able to comply with low carbon specification work in the immediate and medium term future.

The three day course is presented with Day One and Two delivered consecutively and Day Three following at a month’s interval to allow reflection on and evaluation of any changes in practice that you have implemented. The course has two routes and provides different skills dependent on your specific occupational role.

Option A is for professionals who are advising and working with businesses
Option B is for professionals advising and working with individuals & communities. 

Download:  Module 1 – Influencing Change Flyer

Please find below an invitation to the launch of the Commission’s first annual report which will take place at the Media Briefing room in the Senedd, Cardiff Bay on 31^st January between 12:15pm  - 1:30pm

Spaces at the event are very limited and members will need to confirm their attendance as soon as possible.

Download: Report Launch – Digwyddiad i Lansio Adroddiad Blynyddol Cyntaf Comisiwn Cymru ar y Newid yn yr Hinsawdd i Lywodraeth Cymru

We hope you find it useful. Don’t forget the deadline is the 18^th January. 

Disclaimer:  The document is not part of the formal consultation nor does it seek to influence your views in any way.

Download:  LZCH Green Deal Consultation Navigation Guide

Are you ready for the changes?

There are changes to the Waste Regulations making it a requirement for any business which generates, imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of waste will have to follow the “Waste Hierarchy” when choosing a waste option, and show you have done so when you transfer your waste to another business.  The waste hierarchy duty applies to both hazardous and non hazardous waste and came into force on 28^th September 2011.

The link below will direct you to a leaflet outlining your responsibilities when disposing of waste.

Download: Fly Tipping Flyer.pdf

It will also help you decide whether you should be registered as a Waste Carrier with the Environment Agency.  Were you aware that from 29 March 2011, new regulations introduced a two-tier registration system for waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

For further information, you can call Environment Agency Wales on 08708 506 506 or visit www.business.wales.gov.uk

Fly-tipping is a big problem in Wales, costing over £2.7 million last year to clear up.  The majority of fly-tips contain material from construction and demolition activities.

You can help tackle this problem. Help us to help you improve your local environment.

Download: The Works – English
Download: The Works – Welsh

Landmark schemes such as United Welsh Housing Association’s Passivhaus project and the improvement to the A40 (built by Costain and winner of Project of the Year) stole the headlines, but all nine awards on the night demonstrated that by pursuing an integrated team approach Wales is fast moving towards a low carbon construction industry.  Time and again throughout the evening award winners showed that collaborative working delivers tangible, social and environmental benefits as well as help achieve economic targets in some very diverse projects. 

Greenhill School, winner of the low carbon category is not only carbon negative, but claims to be the most energy self sufficient school in the UK.  This commitment to innovation and energy efficiency in Wales is epitomised by Holbrook Timber Frame, winners of the SME award and instrumental in the BREEAM excellent Passivhaus project led by United Welsh HA.  It was clear to all of the guests that Wales is at the forefront of the low carbon movement and this was further reflected in the BREEAM and Demonstration Project awards that were made during the evening at Holland House.

Milica Kitson, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales said:  “The CEW Awards showed Wales is setting a benchmark for what can be achieved by team working.  In a great night for west Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council, represent what the Awards are about – their framework strategy not only promotes local firms, but has helped drive £160m of investment, all via collaborative working.  The standards this year are fantastic – we could not even break down the project of the year to a shortlist – and what’s more the Awards event was sold out.  The event clearly shows that Wales is well on the way to creating a low carbon construction industry in line with UK and Welsh Government targets.  Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to our sponsors and to everyone that attended such a great evening.”

For further press information about CEW please contact Andrew Brown on 07795 547069 or email andrew@frankandbrown.com

About CEW Awards 2010

It is the fifth year of Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards.  All details can be found at www.cewales.org.uk/awards/.

The report draws heavily on the Constructing Excellence report “Never waste a good crisis”, and sets out roles and actions for industry, clients and government over the next decades to 2050. Particularly welcome is the identified need for collaborative integration of the supply chain.  The IGT document echoes many of the arguments put forward by Constructing Excellence in Wales in the “No Turning Back” report of October that was backed by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The IGT report is required reading for anyone involved in the UK built environment.  It has already generated a huge amount of discussion in the industry and key elements of it must be adhered with if the construction industry is going to develop and the provide the nation with not just a world class built environment, but one that is sustainable and energy efficient as well.

The IGT report follows Emerging Findings published in March 2010, and builds on those findings, as charged by Mark Prisk MP, the Minister for Business and Enterprise in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; and the report has also been produced with the support DECC, CLG and DEFRA.  The text that is still relevant from Emerging Findings has been brought forward to this final report. Unsurprisingly, since it is only seven months since the publication of that preliminary report, the over-arching context remains much the same.

To read the full report please click here.

Wales once again confirmed its status as a construction centre of excellence when Welsh Health Estates and GKR Maintenance & Building secured two out of the ten honours available at the National Constructing Excellence Awards on 19 November and gained a highly commended in a third. 

Welsh Health Estates (WHE) were named client of the year.  Its management of the Designed for Life; Building for Wales Framework moves the construction industry forward and WHE clearly demonstrated how a framework should operate with all the right ingredients. Despite being small, GKR won the leadership award because of the manner in which its entire team had grasped the importance of people development in delivering great service and value.

Both award winners shone out on an evening when UK construction made a strong case that lowest price tendering and adversarial ways of working are not the way to build Britain out of the recession.  People, culture and behaviours underpin this argument and so it was great to see that Simon Lander, of Chandler KBS, was made highly commended in the Achiever Award category for his total commitment to best practice principles as demonstrated by his leadership and project management skills in Wales.

Winners from each of the Constructing Excellence national regions are entered in the National Awards, so competition is intense and standards very high.  In a climate of austerity and at a time when pressure to reduce costs is testing the validity of the collaborative approach to procurement and best practice in general these awards reveal that the commitment to rethinking construction is thriving in Wales.

The CE National Awards, held at the Grand Connaught Rooms on 19 November in front of an audience of around 400 people, are the best of the best from the twelve regions that comprise Constructing Excellence.

Milica Kitson, CEW chief executive said: “This was a great night for Welsh construction.  We have an outstanding track record at these awards and our performance confirms we are doing things right in Wales and an example to everyone adopting collaborative working practices.  Congratulations to GKR, Welsh Health Estates and Simon Lander!”