Opinion – Page 414
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These are all mistakes
After superb journalistic sleuthing (and a case of Scotch in the right hands) we have a draft of the next report to shake up construction. Chris Addison runs through the main points
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ڶ buys a pint … for John Doyle
Chosen watering hole: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Ambience: Rambling spit’n’sawdust joint for the not-quite-in-the-City worker Topics of conversation: Yorkshire, the Moseley trial, the housing market, the rest of the market Drinks drunk: 10 pints bitter, 4 pints lager, 2 glasses red wine, 6 glasses white wine, 3 cokes
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Doesn't measure up
I criticised the RICS for years and wrote several times seeking changes in favour of its members, particularly a review of its budget so that the annual subscription fees could be reduced.
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Bad start for Boris
I see Boris Johnson, the London mayor, plans to reinstate Parker Morris space standards in London’s new housing (27 June, page 12).
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Chinese whispers
Li Shirong, from the Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission, has a mission to promote development and investment in her city.
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Fast track to the future
The government’s announcement on 23 June about speeding up the ڶ Schools For the Future programme is very welcome.
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Let’s start at the very beginning
Your article “Government failing on sustainable procurement” (4 June, www.building.co.uk) emphasised the importance of sustainable procurement practices in the construction industry.
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The path to happiness
Happiness, there’s not too much of it around in construction at the moment.
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When will they ever learn?
Despite the abundance of evidence that good clients get cheaper projects, many still insist on lowest price and highest cost. Councils, for example. Sir Michael Latham asks, why?
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Webmaster review: Gleeds website
The website of QS Gleeds – www.gleeds.com – is under the microscope this week, as is its television channel, www.gleeds.tv
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Dispute escalation clauses: Ardentia Ltd vs British Telecommunications Plc
The CaseArdentia and BT entered into a project agreement on 18 February 2004. It related to the provision of information technology to the NHS. A dispute arose between Ardentia and BT in respect of licence fees. Ardentia also believed that BT was intending to engage third parties to develop new ...
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Government needs to lay firm foundations for its housing policy
I admit it, my response to Caroline Flint's housing rescue plan Part II, "Facing the housing challenge - Action today, innovation tomorrow", was borne out of frustration.I admit that lapsing into frustration is a huge fault in my character, one that frankly frustrates me.I admit that there are some elements ...
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Nero comes to mind
On a day that Wolseley has announced 6,000 job cuts and when the employment figures are looking decidedly shaky, even without the effects of the recent cull by house builders, the latest efforts by Caroline Flint to ease pain in the market seem rather puny.I could go into a detailed ...
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Housing market worsens, but not as quickly - RICS
It is an odd thing that things can still be getting worse, but that sentiment can be regarded as improving. So it is with estate agents, according to the latest housing market survey produced by the surveyors body RICS.The story of the June survey is that while things are still ...
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Expert determination: Owen Pell v Bindi (London)
Owen Pell Limited (“Owen Pell”) entered into a contract with Bindi (London) Limited (“Bindi”) for Owen Pell to build an extension and undertake M&E work at Bindi’s property at Holme Lacy. Owen Pell left site before work was complete. The parties later agreed to have their dispute determined ...
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The uses of adversity
The Great Depression brought destitution to millions. It also transformed politics and society and produced great architecture. Amanda Levete asks: could the present downturn do the same?
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Legal panels: The best panel game in town
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Obtaining better value for money from your law firm by setting up a panel is one way to ease the effects of the downturn
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Divided we fell
Open mike - Never agree to a bad plan in the hope that things will turn out for the best. Martin Bishop did, and now the RICS is more fragmented than it’s ever been
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Project bank accounts: Up close and personal
Ignore the critics: project bank accounts foster trust and collaboration and, in doing so, save everybody a great deal of hassle