We are proud to have members based across the Highlands and Islands, which explains why Scottish Government Minister Richard Lochhead (Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade) invited the FMB to an online meeting to discuss rural housebuilding. Everyone knows that we aren’t building enough new homes in Scotland: and indeed across the whole of the UK. There are both chronic (planning obstacles) and acute (interest rates and mortgage affordability) reasons for this. However in rural areas of Scotland, especially on Scotland’s islands there are other factors at play.
My thanks to members Mark MacDonald (O’Mac Construction, Isle of Lewis) and Peter Tait (D.I.T.T Construction, Shetland) for joining me in the meeting. Both made excellent points to the Minister on the commercial challenges of building homes for Island communities: especially for Housing Associations. Now a key role of the FMB is voicing the issues that matter to members to policy makers around the UK. At times this involves online or in person meetings or completing consultations.
Retrofit
As most members deliver Repairs, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) construction works to existing buildings (be they private homes, commercial premises or publicly owned buildings) it follows that the FMB should respond to government consultations where potential future policies will impact our members. Especially concerning the current home improvements marketplace and how it may integrate with the emerging retrofit marketplace. Or to put this simply, more homeowners are expected to seek fabric and energy retrofit upgrades as part of a refurbishment or renovation delivered by FMB members to their home.
Last month I completed the consultation on the Heat in Buildings Bill. I also met with Pilar Rodriguez from Home Energy Scotland: this being driven by feedback I received from some members whose clients have been caught up in funding red tape. In both the consultation and in my meeting with Pilar, I explained how the real world of general building operates and that FMB members will be critical partners in delivering the fabric and energy efficiency upgrades to Scotland’s homes, which will reduce their heat demand and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Safe Keeping
Birthday boy John Burns of Fleming Buildings showed me around a project they are working on for the Ministry of Defence in Livingston on 28 March. It’s the first time I’ve seen an armoury under construction or a recently ‘hung’ heavy framed steel door. I was pleased to hear from John that the MoD are a good client: trusting the contractor to deliver.
A little further West Robert Pytka from Pat Building Service showed me around a recently completed project for a private client in Cambuslang. There were a few other members I had planned to catch up with in Glasgow: but workloads got the better of them on the day.
A civil evening
After encouraging Robert to attend our members event on 6 June in Glasgow, I attended the CECA Scotland’s Annual Awards & Dinner in Glasgow. As well as hearing about the success of the CECA Scotland Academy, there was a strong curiosity from delegates I spoke with about the issues and challenges facing FMB members. Well from rural housebuilding to domestic retrofit, with members across the whole of Scotland and clients including the MoD: I think I gave a comprehensive reply!
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
