Good Estate Management for Schools updates

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Good Estate Management for Schools

Today the DfE have published the updated version of Good Estate Management for Schools GEMS.

The previous version was very well received, so they haven’t made a large amount of unnecessary changes.  While some of the changes are due to new guidance or legislation, most are in response to feedback from users in schools and responsible bodies.  The update published today includes:

  • An easy to read list of the benefits of good estate management
  • The GEMS Self-Assessment Tool, which is now interactive!  It can be completed online and will automatically generate an action plan
  • Another interactive tool to help track compliance with health and safety and building regulations and inspections.
  • An updated version of our popular “Top 10 questions for governing boards”
  • Another new tool to help prioritise maintenance projects and tasks.
  • A comprehensive checklist to reduce energy and water usage

For those totally new to GEMS, they have produced a short animated video about the GEMS resources.

They’ve improved navigation round the site, and reviewed all the links and signposts to further information, so they are up to date at the time of publication.

The section on Health and Safety has been refreshed as well.  It includes more information on responsibilities, and updated guidance and links from the Health and Safety Executive.

They have also updated the guidance on Managing asbestos in your school. Changes include:

  • updates on the day-to-day management of asbestos, and what to do if things do go wrong
  • the legislative framework
  • new case studies to help manage asbestos effectively/improve practice

Please do let your colleagues know about the update.  Simon Lindsay would be delighted to receive any feedback.

Webinar – Friday 4th December

 

Following on from the above, Simon Lindsay, Capital Efficiency and Capability Department, DfE will be covering their Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) resources, including what’s new in GEMS, new tools and checklists, and the benefits to schools.
For more information and to book your place see here. 

Webinars are free to all but recordings are only available to SPACES members. For more information and to book your place see our events calendar. NB To receive the invite you must register through the SPACES website or email Fiona. 

Information and tickets

SPACES AGM Papers – Online on Thursday 1st October 2020

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SPACES Annual General Meeting (AGM) Papers

Thursday 1st October 2020 from 12:30 to 1:30pm

It is a requirement of the SPACES By-Laws that an Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year.

 

This year the AGM will be held online on Thursday 1st October 2020 from 12:30 to 1:30pm (NB The AGM should not last longer than 30 minutes). You can download a copy of the Agenda and Papers. and also download a word and/or pdf document for proxy voting. All members who are registered members on 14th August 2020 and at the AGM can attend, with private or public members entitled to vote.

 

If you wish to attend or send your apologies, please register on our website. NB Registration will close at midday on Wednesday 30th September 2020, to allow time to send the joining instructions out.

 

The following positions are available.

  1. Director of Finance (2 year term) – No nominations have been received so Andrew Rowe has agreed to remain in position. 
  2. Advisors: Membership (2 year term) – Vacant

The Heads of Profession (HoP) are Board nominated positions for a three year term. There are three positions vacant for HoPs

  1. Head of Profession – Architecture – Helen Newman has been co-opted by the board and this will require ratifying at the AGM.
  2. Head of Profession – Construction – Mark Appleyard – has been co-opted by the board and this will require ratifying at the AGM.
  3. Head of Profession – Project Management – Vacant
  4. Hub Co-ordinator Northwest – Richard Hopton has been co-opted by the Board and this will be ratified at the AGM.

 

We also require Hub Coordinators in all areas. If you are interested being a hub coordinator or one of the above roles, or would just like to find out more, please let me know.

 

Due to the current situation, we will not be running a technical presentation this year. Over the last couple of months we have run a programme of Friday lunchtime webinars and these recommenced on the 11th September. For more information, please see our events calendar. If you do not receive information on our events and activities and would like to please log into your account and change your marketing options.

CICV Forum welcomes support for Conflict Avoidance Pledge

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The Construction Industry Coronavirus (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 Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, will reduce the financial cost of disputes and help projects be delivered on time and in budget.

Alan Wilson, Chair of the CICV Forum and Managing Director of SELECT, said:

“The introduction of an early intervention process into the sector is very welcome news for the construction industry in Scotland, as is the endorsement of the CLC.

“The timing of this is perfect given the current circumstances and all construction companies can use this process to resolve any contractual and payment issues. Members are encouraged to sign the Conflict Avoidance Pledge”.

Len Bunton, Forum member, and one of the country’s most experienced dispute resolution consultants added his support.

He said:

“This pledge means that we now have in place a proven and cost-effective process to resolve any contentious issues on construction projects and importantly to preserve relationships.”

“I also encourage all construction organisations to sign the Conflict Avoidance Pledge.”

Andy Mitchell, chair of the CLC, said:

“Preventing the escalation of problems with the delivery of construction projects into disputes is in the best interests of the whole supply chain and will save the industry significant time and money.

“The pledge has already delivered measurable results for those organisations that have used it, and we hope others will adopt it and help to build a more collaborative and stronger industry.”

The Conflict Avoidance Procedure has been designed to help parties avoid disputes and agree a settlement by mediating discussions, providing impartial and objective assessments of the issues, recommendations for bases for settlement and providing expert advice.

Organisations signing up to the pledge are encouraged to work collaboratively and use early intervention techniques throughout the supply chain to try and resolve issues before they escalate into disputes.

Several professional bodies in the construction and engineering sectors have already signed up, including the ICE, the RIBA, Transport for London and Network Rail.

Firms can sign up on the RICS website.

Useful information – COVID-19

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Taken from the SPACES E-news May 2020

A summary of information related to COVID-19 can be found on our the SPACES website. Recent additions include:

New SCQS President

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Kathryn Ladley

SCQS appointed a new President on 3 March 2020 – Kathryn Ladley BSc, FRICS, MAPM.

Our new President graduated from Leeds Polytechnic (now Leeds Beckett University) in 1974 with a BSc in Quantity Surveying, she become Chartered in 1975 at the age of 24 and became a Fellow of the RICS in (2003).  She is also a fully qualified Project Manager (MAPM).   Kathryn is currently employed by NPS Leeds as Commercial Director.

With 50 years experience working in construction, both as a Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager, Kathryn is still passionate about her job and the industry.  She is a member of the JCT Council and winner of the European Women in Construction and Engineering Lifetime Achievement in Construction Award in 2017.

Kathryn was the first girl to undertake a full time construction degree at Leeds Polytechnic and is now the first female President of the SCQS.  She has been married to a Quantity Surveyor for 48 years, is the mother of two children and has two grandchildren.