In yet another example of its innovative approach to stimulating and growing Scotland’s building sector, the CICV Forum has secured significant grant funding to help it explore the most fruitful avenues for expansion. The unique collective has successfully applied for £40,000 of funding from the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), one of Scotland’s unique Innovation Centres which links […]
Author: cicvforum
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, […]
Forum collaborates in creation of new CLF recovery plan
A draft recovery plan for the construction sector in Scotland has been launched by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), with input from members of the CICV Forum. The plan, which has been created collaboratively with industry, sets out the pathway for joint action between industry and the public sector in response to the impact […]
Forum receives CSIC funding for two innovation projects
Two ground-breaking CICV Forum projects are among those being supported by Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) i-Con Innovation Challenge Fund, part of a support programme set up earlier in the year in response to Covid-19. With a combined project value of nearly £250,000, almost £125,000 has been awarded by CSIC to six successful applicants who […]
Forum to host second health and safety webinar
The CICV Forum is to host another health and safety webinar, delivering invaluable updates and the latest developments to help the sector continue its safe recovery. The free online session will take place on Wednesday 26 August and will again be hosted by Becky Crosland, Health and Safety Adviser at the Building Engineering Services Association […]
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 […]
New campaign urges workers to stay safe in social life too
As the easing of lockdown measures continues across Scotland, the CICV Forum has launched a new social media campaign urging construction workers to stay safe in their social lives. Using two engaging animations and free downloadable posters, the collective is calling on sector staff to protect colleagues by following physical distancing guidelines in their private […]
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 […]
Animation puts workers in the picture about safe return to work
In another practical step to help the sector’s restart, the CICV Forum has released a short film outlining the key health and safety steps that all staff should take during the return to work. Entitled Working Together, the 90-second animation illustrates the positive day-to-day measures that workers in the construction industry can take to protect […]
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 […]
Free signage pack helps employers and staff with safe return
As the construction industry gears up for the next stage of its restart plan, the CICV Forum has once again stepped up by producing a pack of free signage to help with the safe return to work. Designed for sites, depots and offices, the 20 open source documents include essential posters, checklists and fact sheets […]
Forum film embraced and adapted by other bodies
An engaging animation by the CICV Forum has proved such a success that it has been adapted and released by a range of other major organisations across the UK and Europe. The short open source film, entitled In This Together, offers clear and practical advice to contractors and occupiers undertaking essential domestic work. Following its […]
Forum consultation extended to whole construction industry
The CICV Forum has extended its wide-ranging consultation on the future of the sector to the whole Scottish construction industry. Originally launched last week among the Forum’s 50 member organisations, all other parties are now invited to give their opinion on what they want for the industry after COVID-19 – and how it might be […]
Forum welcomes APS and SPRA as latest members
The CICV Forum has welcomed two new member organisations to its ever-growing ranks as the unique collective continues to attract widespread interest in its work. The Association for Project Safety (APS) and Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) are the latest bodies to become full members of the Forum, which has been at the vanguard of […]
Forum welcomes announcement of return to domestic work
The CICV Forum has warmly welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that domestic work will be included among the scope of construction work now permitted. The news has been eagerly awaited by all parts of the industry for whom domestic work makes up a major part of their business, and follows recent restart discussions between the […]
Forum asks: What kind of industry do we want in the future?
The CICV Forum has launched a major consultation among its members to discover what stakeholders want for the Scottish construction industry after COVID-19 – and how to achieve it. With companies beginning a phased return to work, the wide-ranging questionnaire addresses multiple issues which have not gone away during the pandemic and suggests that the […]
Latest advice helps companies preparing to unfurlough staff
The complex question of how to bring Scotland’s workforce safely off furlough and back to work is examined in detail in the latest guidance to be issued by the CICV Forum. With the Scottish Government authorising a phased easing of the lockdown rules, the Forum’s comprehensive 22-page document, Returning from Furlough, provides a practical step-by-step […]
New college safety guide helps apprentices preparing for return
As Scotland’s colleges and training centres discuss reopening, the CICV Forum has helped develop a new set of guidelines designed to keep staff and apprentices safe Compiled by Forum members the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), SELECT and SNIPEF, the presentation outlines practical day-to-day measures that colleges and […]
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, […]
Cashflow webinar will offer invaluable payment advice
Following the resounding success of its first webinar, the CICV Forum is immediately staging a follow-up event as the sector begins its long-awaited return to work. The latest online webinar will take place on Wednesday 3 June on the crucially important subjects of cashflow and contracts. It will feature three industry experts – Consultant Len […]
Construction moves to Phase 1 of lockdown
The First Minister today (28 May) confirmed that Scotland will now move to Phase 1 of easing the COVID-19 lockdown. Further details are available here. In her latest announcement she confirmed that the construction sector will be allowed to implement the first two phases (as below, Phases 0 and 1) in its restart plan with […]
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 […]
Forum signs up to Conflict Avoidance Pledge
The CICV Forum has added its name to a growing campaign for more collaborative working 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 […]
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 […]
Signage helps contractors carrying out essential work
The CICV Forum has issued protective signage for key workers carrying out emergency and essential projects in another initiative to support the construction sector in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The posters and stickers, designed to be displayed on sites or on vans, carry the legend ‘Key worker on site: carrying out essential work’. They […]
Forum issues five-point plan to help contractors
The CICV Forum has written to Holyrood urging the Government to adopt a five-point plan to assist contractors through the worst of the COVID-19 crisis. The collection of 23 trade and professional bodies has addressed its appeal to Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning. The letter asks the Scottish Government to […]
Infographic offers key to understanding essential work
A new CICV Forum infographic aims to provide greater clarity over essential work and help the public understand exactly what construction projects key workers can carry out. The infographic was developed by the Forum after key workers reported being harassed and verbally abused during vital construction projects. Forum members reported an increasing number of tradespeople […]
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 […]
Sector urged to pay it forward when it comes to cashflow
The CICV Forum and Construction Scotland have urged the sector to step up and ensure payments are made on time to safeguard cashflow and ensure business and job survival. As trade and professional bodies continue to pull out all the stops and the Scottish and UK Government provides additional support to keep companies going, the […]
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. […]
Forum praises HMRC, but says real test is still to come
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has hailed the “speed and efficiency” of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme rollout – but says the real test will be if all claims are paid on time. The specialist body said the successful launch by HMRC last week could provide a “vital lifeline” to companies across the country. […]
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 […]
Animation helps contractors and customers stay safe
A new animation launched by the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum offers clear and practical advice to contractors and customers during emergency domestic work. The short film outlines the precautions and operate-at-distance policies that the Forum has issued as guidance to protect everyone against COVID-19. Entitled In This Together, the animation provides parameters during essential […]
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 […]
New forum calls for urgent action to protect industry
A new forum of respected construction bodies has suggested a number of simple actions that the Scottish Government could introduce immediately to help with cashflow and protect jobs against the “crippling” background of coronavirus. The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum – which represents the majority of contractor business in Scotland – has sent a joint letter to […]