黑洞社区

The Government plans to appoint a chief adviser to government on construction to 鈥渆quip Britain鈥檚 construction industry with the skills and knowledge to become competitive in the 21st century.鈥�

He/she will chair the board responsible for securing value for money from the government鈥檚 procurement of construction, promote innovation and sustainability in the industry, and be responsible for ensuring government takes full account of the impacts of the regulatory regime on the construction industry.

Ian Lucas, the business minister with responsibility for construction, said: 鈥淲e have taken our time to get the role right to ensure that it fits well with a range of new and existing initiatives. But I have heard the calls from the construction industry loud and clear since my appointment in June. We are now pressing hard ahead with recruiting. I want to see a high quality individual in place by November鈥�.

Ian Pearson, the economic secretary, said: 鈥淭his role will provide a central 鈥渇ocal point鈥� for the construction sector, acknowledging the value of this sector and the importance of delivering a sustainable and low carbon economy that remains competitive.

鈥淭he chief construction adviser will help ensure that government secures maximum value for money in its procurement of construction and thus support the aims of the Operational Efficiency Programme鈥�.

The move was welcomed by the Construction Industry Council. Keith Clarke, chairman of the CIC said: 鈥淭he design and engineering of our built environment is not only vital to our economy, well-being and quality of life, but is also an essential contributor to decarbonising our economy. The role of the adviser is absolutely essential and we welcome this commitment.鈥�

The chief construction adviser will be independent and report to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury Ministers. The successful individual will:

• Chair a new Construction Category Board, which will build on the existing Public Sector Construction Clients Forum (PSCCF), to oversee the implementation and further development of best value Government construction procurement
• Chair an enhanced sustainable construction strategy delivery board to help ensure policy regarding the industry is effectively co-ordinated
• Assess the key barriers to growth in the UK鈥檚 low carbon construction sector to ensure the UK industry is well placed to serve developing needs and markets
• Work with the industry, through the Strategic Forum for Construction, to deliver the industry improvement agenda, including the Construction Commitments
• Promote innovation in the sector, working closely with the Technology Strategy Board and other funding bodies
• Co-ordinate the Whitehall response to reports featuring construction.