After a brief hiatus last week, see below the most recent RICS Scotland Government Engagement and Advocacy Update.
I’d also like to remind you of the fast-approaching RICS Scotland Stay Informed Event for members, taking place in Edinburgh on Thursday 15 September. Hear from Chair Mark Devlin, the Scottish Futures Trust, and various RICS stakeholders, and take advantage of networking opportunities before and after the event. Register here.
RICS SCOTLAND: GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY UPDATE 02.09.2022
Please do share the below update with your networks and feel free to promote the content on social media where applicable.
- Adoption of RICS Standards: RICS standards and guidance have been adopted and recognised by both the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust in recent weeks. The Whole Life Carbon Assessment and International Cost Management Standard (3rd Edition) were promoted as part of the Regional Growth Deals Carbon Management Guidance (click here), and the Strategic Public Sector Asset Management Guidance was recognised as part of the new Property Asset Strategy (click here). Both adoptions demonstrate RICS’ leadership and the trust of key public sector stakeholders on core issues.
- SEDA Conference: RICS today spoke at the Scottish Ecological Design Association’s (SEDA) Meeting of Minds conference, looking at retrofit and repurposing. We communicated the value add of surveyors in the long-term stewardship of built assets, and shared insights into the Scottish policy landscape. Click here and here.
- Peatlands: A meeting of the Peatland ACTION stakeholder group took place this week, with Nature Scotland, RICS, SLE, NFUS and Heather Trust discussing the Scottish Government's ambitious targets for the restoration of peatlands. Read more about the work of Peatland ACTION here.
- Press Activity: Listen to RICS Member and past-Scotland Chair Archie Rintoul on Radio 4, discussing rights and compensation as part of compulsory purchase orders (CPO). He emphasised the importance of using professional chartered surveyors to navigate the complexities of CPOs. Click here.
- PGB Consultation: Following the publication of the Bichard Review, RICS is calling on members to share their views on the formation of global Professional Group Panels (PGPs) that will ensure a greater role and voice for the professional disciplines within the Institution’s governance structure. Click here.
- See also: Scottish Housing Day 2022 takes place on 14 September, with a number of events organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing. Click here.
- Bichard RICS Review - have your say on the new Professional Group Panels. Click here.
- Working with you to progress valuation review recommendations. Click here.
- Modus - Is construction at full steam after the pandemic? Click here.
- Modus - Can the 15-minute city conquer America? Click here.
- Modus - The navigation app making construction sites safer. Click here.
- Built Environment Journal - CITB-funded initiative tackles mental health epidemic. Click here.
- Land Journal - RICS backs Diane Dumashie for FIG presidency. Click here.
- Consultations – Click here.
Publications and Announcements:
- Carbon Management: Scottish City Region and Growth Deals Carbon Management Guidance for Projects and Programmes. Click here.
- Agriculture: Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture - Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill, closing 21 November 2022. A new Agriculture Bill is expected in 2023. Click here.
- Tenants’ Rights: Analysis of responses to the New Deal for Tenants consultation. Click here.
- EPC: Analysis of the consultation on Domestic EPC Reform. Click here.
- Parliament is in recess, returning 6 September.
- Heat in Buildings: Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie MSP said the Scottish Government is introducing a “New Build Heat Standard from 2024 in direct response to the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change” (click here and here). ?As part of the consultation on the new Standard, research is being undertaken to determine the potential emissions reductions (click here). He also published a table on how many installations had been undertaken under various Scottish Government funding streams (click here).
- Electricity Networks: Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie MSP highlighted that the regulation and funding of electricity networks were reserved in response to questions on capacity from Conservative MSP Liam Kerr. Click here.
- Flood Protection: Conservative MSP Miles Briggs asked about applications and funding through flood protection schemes. Click here.
- Heat in Buildings: Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asked various questions on Home Energy Scotland, including capacity and staffing. Click here, here, here and here.
Please get in touch if you are interested in contributing to RICS’ consultation responses, or attending one of the events listed below.??
- 6 September – Equate Scotland: Adopting ED&I in the Workplace. Click here.
- 9 September – Consultation: A new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Click here.
- 12 September – Consultation:?Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2022. Click?here.
- 13 September – Scottish Law Commission: Lessons from England: what not to do when reforming the law of the tenement. Click here.
- 14 September - Scottish Towns Partnership: South West Roadshow. Click here.
- 14 September – Equate Scotland: Challenging Discrimination in the Workplace. Click here.
- 15 September – Event: Stay Informed: An Update for RICS Professionals in Scotland. Click here.
- 21 September – Scottish Law Commission: Lessons from Australia: when owners' associations go too far. Click here.
- 25 September – Consultation: Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation. Click here
- 27-28 September – Event: RICS Planning and Development Conference. Click?here.
- 20 October – Consultation: New build heat standard consultation: part II. Click here.
- 21 November – Consultation: Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture. Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill. Click here.
Euan Ryan, Scottish Public Affairs Lead, RICS
