Incoming CIBSE president Donald Leeper has called on the new UK government to take the initiative and become an expert client on public sector construction procurement.

Speaking on the day of the general election, Leeper stated that government had largely abandoned its opportunities for internal informed technical guidance and feedback, before delegating the public sector procurement role even further to individual schools and hospital groups. This has effectively allowed major public projects to be procured by first-time clients.

Leeper said: “It is my strong belief that if the government is serious about improving the outcome and output of the construction industry, not least the carbon emissions and sustainability of our buildings, it needs to become an expert client, perhaps by using the positive aspects of the now defunct Property Services Agency as a model.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor