The Chartered Insititute of Building (CIOB) has supported MPs’ call for a new post of “chief construction officer” to sort out fragementation in the government’s construction policy and procurement.
“We believe it’s a good sign that the proposed post falls at the official level rather than ministerial level,” said Chris Blythe, CIOB chief executive.
“Ministers often have competing responsibilities and portfolios, whereas a senior official would have operational responsibility for construction in key departments and the delivery of construction policy,” he said.
Mr Blythe said 11 government departments and bodies currently infuenced construction industry policy.
The CIOB sees a key post of a chief construction officer to engage early with the construction supply chain, improving the flow of information to the industry.
Meanwhile, MPs in the All Party Urban Development Group have criticised the government’s green policy for ignoring the real issues in favour of easy headlines.
The group’s report says instead of focusing on making new buildings carbon neutral, the government’s focus must shift to existing buildings, “which make up 99% of the problem”.
The report also says many government buildings are among the worst perfomers when it comes to energy efficiency.
