Be the voice of the CIOB for the BRAC

This month, the UK government announced that they will be seeking seven new members for the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) and it would be great to see CIOB members take up the opportunity.

The BRAC is the statutory advisory public body of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) which advises on all aspects of the building regulations, setting standards for the design and construction of buildings. As CIOB members, you are leaders in our industry and have a wealth of knowledge to bring to BRAC to help shape the future of the built environment.

For several years, governments – across the entire political spectrum – have been reviewing how the regulatory burden on the construction industry could be reduced. Although this is a worthy aim, it’s vital that the industry’s needs are not prioritised over the safety, health and welfare of the public.

In light of a number of high-profile failings, including the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, the role of the Committee will become even more significant as the Government considers how to implement the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building regulations and fire safety.

As the CIOB, we will continue to provide the tools to help industry to do their jobs better, ensuring quality is at the heart of everything they do. For example, through the CIOB Academy course on Construction Quality Management and Code of Quality, which is currently out for consultation. But we recognise providing tools is just part of the puzzle and we need to help the industry to embrace the competency and cultural changes that will be required to improve the sector.

The advertisement from the BRAC indicates that the Committee will be seeking members who have experience of organisational change management as well as technical expertise and behavioural insights. This is an important step to ensure that standards do not remain still and seek to be progressive given the technological changes happening in the industry.

Over the years, several CIOB members have been active advocates for the industry on BRAC, showcasing the value of professional membership. We would encourage anyone with an interest and the knowledge to improve the regulatory framework to apply to join the committee. By doing so, you are not only sharing your invaluable skills but also enabling the CIOB to have a voice, ensuring our membership remains at the forefront of the evolution of regulations.

Applications for the Committee are set to close on Tuesday 19 March before appointments are announced in June this year. We look forward to seeing how the BRAC moves forward with the new committee members on board.

For further information on the roles and how to apply, click here.