Category: news

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. […]

CICV: Clearer messaging needed to help public navigate net zero journey

Scotland’s second Green Home Festival has been hailed another resounding success – but its organisers have also insisted that government and industry must work closer together to deliver clearer guidance and “myth-bust” the misinformation around low-carbon living. More than 500 delegates signed up for the five-day renewables jamboree organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice […]

Groups urged to discover how churches can be resurrected at Festival

Religious and community groups are being urged to attend the CICV’s upcoming Green Home Festival and discover how Scotland’s abandoned churches can be transformed into energy efficient social housing that benefits whole communities. In Bringing Churches Back to Life, architects will explain what happens to former churches and community halls at the end of their working […]

Public urged to embrace heat pumps at Festival as new poll reveals hesitancy over take-up

Homeowners are being urged to overcome their resistance to heat pumps at the upcoming Green Home Festival after a new poll revealed that there continues to be considerable public reluctance to sustainable heating alternatives. Despite their pivotal role in achieving Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets, heat pumps were the choice of just 22.2% of respondents […]

TV Anna set to cook up a storm in CICV kitchen show

TV presenter and award-winning designer Anna Campbell-Jones will be the star guest at this year’s Green Home Festival, which starts in 50 days as part of the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The co-host and judge of hit BBC Scotland show Scotland’s Home of the Year will be a keynote speaker at the second week-long event, […]

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 […]

Topics revealed for Green Home Festival 2023

Building greener kitchens, accessing renewable funding and preventing heat loss through windows and doors are among the main events being planned for this year’s Green Home Festival, organisers have revealed. Air source heat pumps, effective insulation and electric vehicles (EVs) will also be high on the agenda at the second five-day event, which is being […]

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 announces launch of new Green Home Festival

Building on the achievements of COP26, the CICV Forum has announced it will be holding a dedicated low-carbon homes festival in 2022, delivering practical assistance and advice to help Scotland become a net zero nation. Running from 8-12 August, the Green Home Festival will engage the public and businesses in the global challenge, offering demonstrations […]

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 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 […]

Candidates back industry regulation at special Forum hustings

Regulation of the construction industry is essential for a safer and more productive future, election hopefuls from Scotland’s main political parties told a special digital hustings hosted by the CICV Forum. The importance of skills and training in the industry also won unanimous cross-party agreement from panellists during the exclusive event held online this week. […]

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 […]

Minister for Construction among proposals in Forum manifesto

In an unprecedented show of co-operation, commitment and collaboration, the construction industry in Scotland has come together to issue its first-ever manifesto detailing the crucial steps which need to be taken to secure a viable and sustainable future for the sector. Acting through the CICV Forum, a comprehensive range of trade associations, professional bodies, companies […]

New economic report will help Forum assist with green recovery

The CICV Forum has published an in-depth report aimed at helping public bodies make decisions on where public funding in construction gives the highest economic returns to help support a green recovery. The report, carried out by Fraser of Allander Institute at University of Strathclyde, was commissioned by the Forum to improve understanding of how […]

Forum welcomes three more organisations as full members

After nearly a year of practical support and proactive guidance for Scotland’s building sector, the CICV Forum continues to attract new members, this week welcoming another three major organisations to its ranks. As widespread interest in its work remains undiminished, the Forum has been joined by the Association of Brickwork Contractors, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing […]

Essential construction work ‘can continue during lockdown’

Essential construction work is being allowed to continue in Scotland, following the lockdown announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday 4 January. Specific rules have been given to tradespeople, governing what type of work can be carried out during this time. Domestic workTradespeople should only go into a house to carry out or deliver essential work […]

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 welcomes CICES and GGF as new members

After nine months of proactive support for Scotland’s building sector, the CICV Forum continues to attract new members, this week welcoming another two major organisations to its ranks. As widespread interest in its work remains undiminished, the Forum has now welcomed the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) and the Glass and Glazing Federation […]

Becky scoops award for tireless health and safety work

The chair of the CICV Forum’s health and safety sub-group has received one of the building services industry’s top honours for her tireless work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the sector’s workforce was able to operate as safely as possible. BESA health & safety advisor Becky Crosland received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the H&V News Awards […]

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, […]

Forum and CSIC launch new Be Covid Smart digital learning toolkit

In its latest initiative to help Scotland’s building sector get safely back to work, the CICV Forum has used cutting-edge technology to create a digital learning toolkit to promote best practice. Working closely with Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), which links business, university experts and public sector providers, the Forum has launched the Be Covid Smart training and learning […]

Employment webinars will advise on redundancy and Job Support Scheme

With the effects of COVID-19 beginning to impact businesses across Scotland, the CICV Forum is hosting two new webinars to advise and answer questions on redundancy, restructuring and other urgent employment issues. The UK Government’s new Job Support Scheme will also be on the agenda at the online discussions, which will again be hosted by […]

Forum secures £40,000 funding to identify investment areas

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 […]

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 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 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 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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]