黑洞社区

The RICS is considering a u-turn on its decision to leave the Construction Industry Council after senior QSs threatened to leave and set up a rival group, 黑洞社区 understands.

It is understood that RICS boss Louis Armstrong is to meet Graham Watts, chief executive of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), next week to discuss the 鈥渇uture of the relationship鈥� in the wake of a severe industry backlash. Sources close to the talks said they were 鈥渧ery hopeful鈥� the RICS would change its mind.

The heads of the big consultants reacted furiously to news that the surveyor鈥檚 body intended to resign from the umbrella organisation. A series of meetings has since taken place between industry figures and RICS officers, and opponents to the move have been garnering support via email.

One senior consultant at a major firm said: 鈥淲e have said the RICS shouldn鈥檛 pull out. We would even corral the other big practices to see if we could go and form our own thing. That鈥檚 how strongly we feel about it.鈥�

Another added: 鈥淭he RICS is reconsidering its position and I hope there will be white smoke by the end of next week.鈥�

The institution鈥檚 position has also been weakened by opposition to the move from Paul Morrell, the chief construction adviser, and senior QSs. One source said: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e in a sticky situation. It has become clear that the CIC is the one organisation that people like Morrell and the government are going to talk to.鈥�

A RICS spokesperson said: 鈥淭here is ongoing dialogue.

We will listen to feedback and the option to stay is still there.鈥�