Tag: construction

Surveys reveals deep-rooted payment challenges in Scottish construction sector

A new survey conducted by the CICV has found that Scottish construction businesses continue to struggle with late payments, payment reductions and unresolved disputes. Despite government and industry efforts to address financial challenges in the sector, the poll highlights that there is still a significant gap between purported initiatives and actual improvements in payment practices. […]

Industry still blighted by serious payment issues, CICV survey reveals

Construction businesses in Scotland are still suffering the scourge of late payments, outstanding retentions and unexpected charges, a new survey by the CICV has revealed. Some 68% of respondents to our poll said their payment terms were altered negatively, with 60% claiming adjustments to payments were made with little or no explanation. And 69% of […]

Organisers hail success of first CICV Green Home Festival

Scotland’s first-ever Green Home Festival has been hailed as a resounding success, with organisers already planning next year’s event to cater for the growing interest in low-carbon construction and sustainable living. More than 350 delegates signed up for the five-day renewables jamboree organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), enjoying a series of in-person […]

Construction industry urged to book Festival tickets

Construction professionals wanting to learn more about renewables technology and innovation have been urged to secure their tickets for the upcoming Green Home Festival, which starts a week today at part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe The clock is ticking for environmentally-aware contractors who want to learn about sustainable materials, retrofitting traditional buildings, building green neighbourhoods and […]

Forum changes name to Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV)

After nearly two years dedicated to steering the Scottish building sector through the worst crisis in its history, the Forum has changed its name to reflect its expanded remit and ongoing collaborative vision for the future. The unique alliance of trade associations and professional bodies has been rebranded as the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), […]

Forum’s work recognised by MSPs in Scottish Parliament motion

Members of the Scottish Parliament from all the main parties have paid a remarkable tribute to the ongoing work of the CICV Forum as the unique collective continues to support the recovery of the country’s construction sector. MSPs from the SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats have backed a motion tabled by Labour politician Monica […]

New video issues safety reminders as restrictions are relaxed

The CICV Forum has issued another in its series of engaging advice videos, reminding workers how to keep themselves and others safe as the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. The 90-second animation is the latest in a string of easy-to-follow Forum films designed to help construction workers protect themselves and their colleagues, customers and families after […]

Forum issues new guidance and urges caution over easing of restrictions

As Scotland moves towards further easing of restrictions, the CICV Forum has issued more timely guidance and sounded a cautionary note, urging the sector to keep its focus on health and safety to protect colleagues, customers and families. The unique collaboration says the sector is “not out of the woods yet” and, with COVID-19 still […]

New Forum guide offers advice on professional indemnity insurance

In its latest initiative as a major voice within the Scottish construction sector, the CICV Forum has unveiled a new guide to the crucial and increasingly complex issue of professional indemnity insurance (PII). The easy-to-understand downloadable document, produced by the Forum’s unique collaboration of trade associations, professional bodies, companies and individuals, outlines the state of […]

Forum welcomes new CLF Chair Ivan McKee and pledges continued support

The CICV Forum has pledged its ongoing commitment to the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) and has warmly welcomed its new Chair, Scottish Government Minister Ivan McKee. The Forum is now a key contributor to the CLF, having realigned its infrastructure to be consistent with the mission of its fellow sector body. At its full […]

Key industry figures reveal highlights as Forum marks its first anniversary

After marking the anniversary of its first-ever meeting, key members of the CICV Forum have revealed their personal highlights of working together for the ever-expanding collective. The unique collaboration of trade associations, professional bodies, companies and individuals has helped guide the industry and public through a year of massive upheaval with a wealth of information […]

Forum helps workers stay safe with new and updated guidance

The CICV Forum has issued a suite of new essential guidance to help the construction sector’s operatives continue to work safely on essential projects during lockdown. The campaigning collective has made three revised advice documents available to companies, associations and workers across the country, covering the latest health and safety information in a comprehensive range […]

Forum backs calls for industry to ‘play its part’ during lockdown

The CICV Forum has echoed calls for the industry to “play its part” during lockdown ­and has urged workers to keep following vital health and safety guidance. The Forum has reminded contractors to observe new rules after the Scottish Government strengthened lockdown restrictions on Wednesday, making the ‘stay at home’ guidance enforceable by law. The […]

Forum mask campaign urges greater safety during lockdown

With essential construction work set to continue during the latest lockdown, the CICV Forum is urging operatives to make a safe start to 2021 with a colourful new face mask campaign. The unique collective has launched an animation and downloadable infographic to remind workers that it’s vitally important to help protect everyone by following the […]

Minister joins Forum in urging sector to stay safe outside work

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has joined the CICV Forum to remind construction workers to stay COVID smart in their social lives and when travelling to and from jobs. Mr Stewart insisted it was “essential” for the sector’s staff to keep following guidance to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the virus among customers, colleagues, […]

New travel animation helps keep sector moving safely

The CICV Forum has released the latest in its series of engaging COVID-19 animations – this time offering essential advice on how workers should travel to and from work safely. Produced in response to sector feedback, the latest guidance outlines a range of practical measures that contractors can follow to protect themselves and help prevent […]

Webinars will help with essential commercial issues

The CICV Forum is hosting a series of free advice webinars to help industry professionals improve their contractual and commercial awareness on construction projects. Hosted by leading industry experts, and running fortnightly across six sessions from September to November, the online discussions are aimed at public and private sector employers, contract and commercial managers, architects, […]

Animations remind public to let contractors work safely

The CICV Forum has launched a colourful new social media campaign reminding the public to let construction workers do their jobs safely as Scotland strives to rebuild the sector. Released under the theme of #RebuildingTogether, the latest initiative uses two short animations to highlight the need for co-operation and respect for workers operating in difficult […]

100th member and 50th piece of advice celebrated

The CICV Forum is celebrating a double milestone this week – welcoming its 100th individual member and releasing its 50th piece of guidance. The Forum’s Commercial sub-group has been joined by Bridget Lambert,Strategic Procurement Manager at Renfrewshire Council, who is already contributing her expertise to help the industry continue its phased return. At the same […]

New health and safety guidance helps careful return continue

As Scotland’s building sector continues its recovery, the CICV Forum has issued a raft of new health and safety guidance to help steer workers through the phased return. Seven new pieces of open source collateral have been released, offering in-depth industry advice on topics including face coverings, hand washing, domestic working and what to do […]

SBF becomes latest member to sign Conflict Avoidance Pledge

Leading CICV Forum member the Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has followed in other organisations’ footsteps by signing up to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge (CAP). A joint initiative by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Institution of Civil Engineers and other major professional bodies in the built environment, the CAP aims to […]

Forum proposes school action plan to help pupils return safely

The CICV Forum has submitted a proposed building action plan to the Scottish Government which it claims would help reopen schools across the country and get children back to lessons safely. The campaigning collective has written to Kevin Stewart, MSP, the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, outlining a series of practical proposals which […]

DHF join Forum as new Consultants sub-group created

The CICV Forum has welcomed a new member to its ranks and also set up a specialist sub-group to gather and share expertise from some of Scotland’s leading consultants. Trade association DHF has become the latest organisation to become a full-time member, while the creation of a new Consultants sub-group has seen 12 professional bodies […]

Forum welcomes move to Phase 2 of government route map

The CICV Forum has welcomed further easing of restrictions to help get the sector in Scotland back to work – but insists health and safety and collaboration must continue to be at the heart of an industry-wide approach. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a range of new measures on Thursday 18 June as the Scottish […]

Forum issues health and safety underpinning guidance

As Scotland’s building sector emerges from prolonged shutdown, the CICV Forum has issued expanded health and safety guidance to help steer companies through the crisis and back to work. The comprehensive 42-page document, Safe Return and Restart, is designed to underpin the Safe Operating Guidance released last week and produced in collaboration between Construction Scotland, […]

Phased return welcomed – but safety and collaboration is key

The CICV Forum has welcomed the first tentative steps announced to get the sector in Scotland back to work – but insists health and safety and collaboration must be at the heart of the phased return. The collective – which has been working towards restart with a number of bodies, including the Construction Leadership Forum […]

After lockdown, managing cashflow will be the real test

Quarry boss Marcus Paine says he’s already looking at life after lockdown – but fears uncertainty over cashflow could leave many SMEs like his family business between a rock and a hard place. The businessman – currently President of CICV Forum member The Stone Federation (GB) – has spent 26 years building up quarrying firm […]

Fast-track adjudication for low-value disputes welcomed

The CICV Forum has welcomed the launch of a new fast-track summary adjudication process for low-value disputes, complete with a capped adjudicator’s fee. As the economic effect of the Covid-19 impacts severely on the construction industry, many contractors in the smaller end of the market are struggling to access dispute resolution even under the reduced […]

Momentum and membership rise as Forum support continues

The reach of the CICV Forum continues to grow, with more organisations coming on board to help play their part in the recovery of the industry. A total of 78 individuals are now involved, representing 48 different official construction bodies from across Scotland and beyond, including Government agencies, private companies, professional services firms and training […]

Forum welcomes support for Conflict Avoidance Pledge

The CICV Forum has welcomed the news that the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is backing the new Conflict Avoidance Pledge. The CLC this week announced their support for the pledge, which sees clients and contractors committing to implementing conflict avoidance measures in their contracts and on site. The measure, which was developed by the Royal […]

Forum urges vital measures to improve cashflow and save businesses

The CICV Forum has presented Holyrood with a paper of comprehensive recommendations to ease the cashflow crisis as the group continues fighting to save Scotland’s construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper, which outlines a series of urgently-needed actions to improve liquidity in the industry, will go to both public and private sector clients, […]

Forum bids to keep key workers safe from intimidation

The CICV Forum is helping to provide greater visibility on what constitutes ‘essential work’ to prevent key workers being harassed and verbally abused during vital construction projects. Forum members have reported an increasing number of tradespeople being intimidated and verbally abused by the public while carrying out legitimate projects in line with CICV Forum guidelines. […]

SFT paper addresses impact of COVID-19 on hub contracts

The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has produced a paper on how authorities may interpret the provision of the Scottish Government’s Construction Policy Note 1/2020 for existing construction projects in the hub programme. By presenting this view, the SFT hopes that there may be a common approach adopted with appropriate levels of collaboration between authorities and […]

Cashflow piles on agony for businesses, Forum survey reveals

Cashflow has completely dried up for nearly 80% of firms in the construction industry in Scotland, according to businesses which responded to a major survey carried out by the newly-established Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum. More than half of firms who took part in the poll also say they’re owed vital monies from public and […]

Low value dispute construction adjudication service implemented

CICV Forum member the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has begun providing a low value construction adjudication service to give UK SMEs a simple and cost-effective procedure that will make solving disputes more accessible and quicker for lower value claims. The RICS service will now operate in accordance with the ground-breaking Low Value Disputes […]

CICV Forum issues clear guidance on working practices

The newly-established Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has taken immediate action to provide clarity for the sector in Scotland. The group – which represents most professional construction bodies in Scotland – took action following advice from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week that all building sites with the exception of any hospital work should close. Concerned about conflicting […]