BESA Better Business Scotland Nov 16

BETTER BUSINESS NOVEMBER 2016 BESA SCOTLAND MEETING Monday 21 November 8am Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh CONSTITUTION GAS SAFE GREEN LIGHT TECHNICAL CHANGES REGISTER FOR MEMBERS AREA Have your say and The HSE are reviewing Green Business Fund Ensure you are up to shape the future of the Register and they available for BESA date with the latest your constitution. want your input. members. technical bulletins. THE BESA PUTS MEMBERS AT THE HEART OF BUILDING ENGINEERING SERVICES [email protected] www.theBESA.com @BESAgroup BESA Group Building Engineering Services Association, Lincoln House, 137-143 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QL

THE CONSTITUTION - HAVE YOUR SAY THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE BESA CONSTITUTION In March 2016 following adoption of the Mission and The result is a suite of documents which were submitted Vision statements, a survey was conducted amongst to the BESA Council at its July 2016 meeting for approval. Council members giving them the opportunity to Subject to minor amendments, which have now been shape the future Constitution. The results of the made and approved, Council has formally endorsed survey on the proposed changes to the Constitution these and will be recommending them to the wider were presented to Council at its meeting in April BESA membership for adoption at a Special General 2016. Meeting on 1 December prior to the BESA Council. The Officers then recommended and Council Changes will only take place once the BESA membership agreed, that to take the modernisation programme at large vote in favour of adoption. forward, a reform group, which included Officers and 3 Council Members, should be tasked with the We will keep you informed – however, composition and scrutiny of an agile, fit for purpose in the interim any questions can be Constitution which clearly defines the BESA addressed to the Association Secretary governance structure and process. [email protected] Over the summer, the reform group embarked on a robust review process which included: • inspiration from other non-profit sectors; • advice from the Trade Association Forum and other Trade Association Forum member governance structures; and, • care to ensure that the HVCA/B&ES/BESA heritage remains fully preserved. A VIDEO PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.THEBESA.COM/CONSTITUTION YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FROM OUR LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL TEAM CALL 020 7313 4919

THE FUTURE OF GAS SAFE REGISTER It has been almost been 10 years since the introduction of the Gas Safe Register (GSR) and HSE are currently seeking feedback from stakeholder groups about what the industry would like to see from GSR going forward. The future of the industry will have an impact on the being able to gather enough evidence for a successful Register, with the introduction of new gas supplies, prosecution. Inspector business cards now carry details smart homes, meters and appliances, the industry age about how registered engineers can report illegal work. profile and consumer protection. What do you think For 2015/16 there were: the Register needs to meet these challenges? • 47 cases prosecuted by HSE HSE are consulting with BESA as the principle trade association in our sector, and as part of this review • 52 defendants process, we have launched a survey where you can feed • 32 illegal gas fitters in your views on the Gas Safe Register. Visit our website to take part www.thebesa.com/news/your-views-on- • 3 registered engineers the-gas-safe-register/ • 16 custodial sentences With the expiry of the current contract pending, HSE are taking the opportunity to reassess what services GAS-RELATED FATALITIES HAVE REDUCED the Register should offer, how these services should BY OVER 70% IN THE LAST 20 YEARS: be delivered and how the scheme meets the needs of • AVERAGE OF 39 FATALITIES PA 95/96- the industry and its users. 99/00 The contractual obligations are to: • AVERAGE OF 9 FATALITIES PA 10/11-14/15 • establish and maintain the Register TWO THIRDS OF FATALITIES OCCURRED AS • provide consumer access to the Register A RESULT OF USER ERROR OR FAILURE TO HAVE APPLIANCES SERVICED. • report notifiable work under the Building Regs. • generate consumer awareness • check and monitor engineer competence • provide assistance to HSE/LA enforcement • provide safety information to engineers New sentencing guidelines introduced in 2016 have enabled tougher penalties. There are a number of challenges faced regarding reporting illegal fitters and THE SURVEY WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE AND YOUR FEEDBACK WILL HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY. YOU CAN COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONLINE AT WWW.THEBESA.COM/NEWS/YOUR- VIEWS-ON-THE-GAS-SAFE-REGISTER/ YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE INDUSTRY. WITH REGULAR SURVEYS INCLUDING BREXIT, STATE OF TRADE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT A HIGH PRIORITY FOR MICHAEL MURDOCH New Director of Employment Affairs, Michael Murdoch There are certain characteristic features of an has joined us from his previous role as a Senior Lecturer engaged workforce and the BESA want to help at the University of South Wales. He was also Director of members cultivate this positivity within employees. their MSc programme in Human Resource Management We want to show and to coach how it is done.” and a member of the ACAS Arbitration Panel. In addition to this BESA Employment Affairs will be The Employment Affairs team is looking to expand offering mediation services its offering through employee engagement, “In the in two ways. One to provide Employment Affairs area we will be seeking to develop in-house training for members who want to what we do for existing members and those to whom have staff proficient in we would promote full membership or offer specific conducting mediation, services. One particular focus area is to give Employee second to provide direct Engagement a strong profile. This has been subject of mediation through the highest attention in the field of workplace people a qualified BESA management in the last ten years. representative. The basic principle is that an engaged workforce is If you have any questions more committed, more responsive, has higher morale email employmentaffairs@ and motivation, and in a word, is good for business. theBESA.com. Michael Murdoch CARBON TRUST GIVES MEMBERS GREEN LIGHT The Building Engineering Services Association is they wish to progress partnering with The Carbon Trust, allowing BESA with energy saving members the opportunity to deliver projects funded recommendations. through the Carbon Trusts’ Green Business Fund. Below is an of example project BESA members might expect to be shortlisted to provide quotation for: The Green Business Fund provides small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Great Britain with a Customer sector: student accommodation range of bespoke advice and support to allow easy Location: Birmingham implementation of energy saving measures. The Fund, and it’s partnership with BESA, will run until December Requirements: 2x 250kW 29 year old boilers to be 2017. replaced with 2x 150-200kW condensing boilers This includes financial support in the shape of up Indicative project size: £40-45k to a 30% capital contribution (with a maximum of If you would like to register your interest in being £10,000) towards the cost of implementing energy shortlisted for future Green Business Fund projects, saving projects. A requirement for the capital support please contact Richard Ward - BESA membership is that projects be delivered by competent, high director, on [email protected] or call 0207 quality suppliers and installers and as such under the 313 4925. partnering agreement BESA members would be able to actively promote the financial contributions available to For more information on the Carbon Trust Green their prospective customers. As part of the arrangement, Business Fund please visit www.carbontrust.com/client- BESA members may also be recommended to services/technology/implementation-and-finance/ businesses as a good quality supplier to engage should green-business-fund/ YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO AN EMPLOYMENT AFFAIRS TEAM WHO WILL NEGOTIATE THE OPERATIVE NATIONAL AGREEMENT ON YOUR BEHALF.

REVISED MODEL FORMAT FOR BUILDING SERVICES SPECIFICATIONS (BG56/2016) In 2015 a group of BESA members kick started the approach and a format that can be intelligible process of developing the Model Format because to all. of their increasing frustration with the standard of In addition to the classification information included specifications and the problems this was causing them on site. The Model Format for Building Services in the first edition of BG56, this second edition now has specifications (BG56/2016), is a joint BESA, CIBSE and tables for Uniclass 2015. BSRIA publication and has been revised for 2016. This is the classification The guide is designed to be simple and easy to follow structure prescribed so that clients can see clearly what they are signing up by the UK Government to – and refer back to at various stages of the project for use on BIM Level and post-handover. 2 and so its inclusion Many of the previous specification templates used by here should help companies are more than 30 years old, which means understanding of its they cannot be easily translated into the digital formats use in building services required to deliver modern construction methods and applications. be integrated into Building Information Modelling (BIM). No matter how much technology changes, specification will remain at the heart of m&e engineering and how we communicate is vital if we are going to TO PURCHASE YOUR DISCOUNTED COPY get the details right from the outset and remove VISIT WWW.BESAPUBLICATIONS.COM the ambiguity of interpretation that leads to compromised designs. That is why we need a consistent TECHNICAL AREA AND BULLETINS BESA has been providing best-in-class technical technical experts in real time via an instant messaging guidance and standards to the building engineering service keeping you connected. services sector for over 100 years. Whether it is health Technical bulletins provide the most up-to-date and and safety advice, a copy of the latest standards, or relevant industry information and technical advice, support with a risk assessment, the BESA technical team ensuring that our members continue to operate as are on hand to help. In order to ensure our members leaders within the industry. There have been ten have access to the latest technical information we have bulletins so far including T8/009 Grease Extract Post introduced a brand new Technical Area to the BESA Clean Reporting, TB/012 Jointing Methods for RACHP website. Pipework and TB/014 Trickle Cooling Domestic Cold The pages, which can be found at www.theBESA. Water Systems. com/technical include specialist Health and Safety Any updates to industry standards or best practice information, publications and knowledge, technical guidelines are communicated as well as health and help, certification and registration, focus areas such as safety alerts. Content for the technical bulletins comes Building Information Management (BIM), tall buildings not only from our experienced technical team, but also and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). from contributing BESA members’ organisations. The new pages not only contain a wealth of information but also connect you to the technical team for on SIGN UP TO TECHNICAL BULLETINS AT demand support and guidance. WWW.THEBESA.COM/RESOURCE-CENTRE/ TECHNICAL/ With our new live chat function you can talk to our YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF DISCOUNTED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS VISIT WWW.BESAPUBLICATIONS.COM.

BESA SCOTLAND’S RISING STARS APPRENTICES FROM BESA SCOTLAND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RECOGNISED FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGH AWARDS SUCCESS. William MacAskill, 22, won the Young Achiever of the Year category at the annual SCEPTRE Awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel, London. The SCEPTRE Awards recognise best practice and the best people working in shopping centre management throughout the UK. William is in the third of a four-year Service and Maintenance Engineer apprenticeship at intu Braehead. It’s not the first time William has picked up an award, as he has previously won Glasgow Kelvin College’s Best Apprentice of the Year and was further awarded a Scottish National Apprentice of the Year Award. WILLIAM MACASKILL RECEIVES HIS SCEPTRE AWARD BESA Scotland also has two apprentices competing Another success story saw Drew Richardson of CBES, in the national SkillFRIDGE competition. The national win silver in the RAC National Student of the Year SkillFRIDGE competition allows students studying up Award at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards. His aptitude to Level 3 RACHP to demonstrate their knowledge and and enthusiasm was awarded by his employer who skills in a pressurised environment. entrusted him with the commissioning of an Asda Chad Meechan of KB Refrigeration and John Thompson refit – one of the youngest to do so. of Turner Dundee who both attend Glasgow College were successful in their regional heats and now face To learn more about apprenticeships including the final at the NEC, Birmingham at The Skills Show, recruitment and funding visit www.theBESA.com/ 17-19 November. training/employers LEAP FORWARD ON PAYMENT The Association has welcomed the Scottish Government should be roundly praised for taking a Government’s announcement that Project Bank bold step to remove one of the barriers to efficient Accounts (PBAs) are to be used as the preferred method project delivery.” for improving payment conditions and speeding up cash PBAs are a cash disbursement model that allows flow on all public sector construction projects over £4m. money to be ring-fenced in bank accounts from which Derek Mackay, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, payments are made directly to suppliers. This reduces announced that this method of protecting payment the risk of contractor insolvency and the consequent to sub-contractors in construction supply chains was disruption to projects. It also cuts out much of the to be imposed on all projects procured by Scottish additional cost of risk pricing and debt management Government departments from October 31 this year. associated with having multiple layers of payment within the contractual chain. BESA congratulated Mr Mackay and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit by implementing a policy PBA payments can be made within as little as 12 days that could improve financial conditions for the whole and, once in the account, the monies are protected construction sector. from upstream insolvencies and unfair delays. Public Highways England and the Environment Agency have “Unfair and abusive payment practices have been a blight on the construction process for decades,” said been using this method for some time and, on average; BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin. “The Scottish ‘Tier 3’ sub-contractors on their projects are paid within 19 days. YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF DISCOUNTED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS VISIT WWW.BESAPUBLICATIONS.COM.

BESA SCOTLAND TEAM UPDATES The BESA Scotland team have met with a number of members on a one to one basis to find out if they are taking full advantage of their BESA membership and to answer any queries or questions they may have. Iain McCaskey, Head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland; and Zanna Tweedie, Assistant National Executive for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and between them they have met with over 50 BESA members in the past couple of months. They want to meet with more or their Scottish members so to arrange a meeting please either email Iain McCaskey on [email protected] or call IAIN MCCASKEY AND ZANNA TWEEDIE (R) WITH SIMONE HART 07860794734. SIBBALD OF PERFECT SERVICE SOLUTIONS The team has recently expanded with 2 new training advisers. Robin Kissell specialises in refrigeration and air conditioning; and can be contacted on Robin.Kissell@ theBESA.com or 07973 794581. Roy Fairley specialises in domestic natural gas installation & maintenance; and can be contacted on [email protected] or 07970 318 190. Iain McCaskey is now on Twitter as @BESA_ScotNI. Follow Iain for the latest tenders, consultations and current industry news. HEEPS: EQUITY LOAN SCHEME Scottish Government has just announced a new The work must include an energy efficiency element pilot loan scheme called the Home Energy Efficiency but funding for external repairs is also available. Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) Equity Loan. Specifically: The scheme will run until 31 March 2017, with the • At least 45% of the funding must be for energy possibility of an extension until March 2018. efficiency improvements. Works which reduce heat loss An equity loan is repaid when the property is sold. can also be included in this 45%. So external repair work Applicants do not make any ongoing payments. The which reduces damp and draughts (such as fixing a amount repaid is related to how much was borrowed leaking roof, repairing damp walls or repairing draughty and the value of the property when it is sold. windows) would qualify This is a pilot scheme open to householders in the • 55% or less of the works cost can be used to fund following local authorities only: Glasgow City, Argyll external repairs generally (specific list of eligible repairs and Bute and Perth and Kinross. to be confirmed, but cosmetic improvements covering bathrooms, kitchens etc. will not be eligible). The amount of funding available will depend on the mortgage remaining on the property. The maximum Applications will not open until winter 2016 but loan is £40,000 and the homeowner must retain a householders should call Home Energy Scotland on minimum of 30% equity in the property. Loans that are 0808 808 2282 and an advisor will take their details claimed for and paid will be subject to an administrative as an expression of interest. fee. For further info visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ scotland/grants-loans/heeps/heeps-equity-loan-scheme YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF DISCOUNTED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS VISIT WWW.BESAPUBLICATIONS.COM.

BE IN THE KNOW ABOUT BESA AS PART OF YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP WE WANT TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION AND THE BUILDING SERVICES SECTOR. There are various ways we can keep you informed with Your BESA magazine the latest industry updates: Your BESA is a quarterly magazine which offers valuable E-News guidance and updates on technical, training, education and skills along with other industry related news. Your The BESA e-newsletter is sent fortnightly to members and other leading industry figures. We encourage BESA is posted to all members and affiliates so if you everyone in the sector to sign up to get the latest news aren’t receiving a copy contact your regional manager. and events from BESA and the building services sector. Digital copies are available on the website and you can If you would like to recieve the e-newsletter you can request more copies at www.theBESA.com/your-besa- subscribe at www.theBESA.com/newsletter. magazine. If you would like to feature in our member spotlight, then email [email protected]. The next The BESA Book and Find a BESA Member issue will be available towards the end of January 2017. The BESA Book is an annual in-depth guide for anyone looking to procure building engineering services. The Member Benefits flyer book features all BESA members and affiliates’ company As a BESA member, your employees can now take full contact details as well as articles related to the industry. advantage of all our exclusive member benefits. These include access to the members’ area, free BESA events Details are taken from the BESA Blue Form so it is important you complete and check the form each and training, technical bulletins and much more. year to ensure your details are correct. The online ‘Find a We can create a free bespoke member benefits flyer BESA member’ facility is hosted on a real time database for you to distribute to your employees explaining the so if your company contact details change at any time, benefits for them. please email [email protected] to ensure If you would like a flyer created please contact your they are updated. regional manager. YOUR BESA MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS’ AREA, VISIT WWW.THEBESA. COM/MEMBERS-AREA