Chambers admits CIOB review contains ideas branch committees will find ‘difficult to accept’

The consultation process surrounding the Blue Book is coming to a close, but not everyone is going to be ecstatic about the results, admits project organiser Martin Chambers.

The review, an investigation into the workings of the CIOB, was a major consultation process for the body to identify the best structure to take it forward. Findings include cutting bureaucracy, improving finances and communication across branches.

Leading the review, Chambers, junior vice-president of the CIOB, said the changes were long overdue. However, he also understands that the impending recommendations will not be embraced by all. “Not everyone is going to like this. Our members are, quite rightly, proud about what we already achieved. We don’t want to destroy any of that, but at the same time, we need to stay fit for the future.”

According to Philip James, project director for the CIOB, “We needed to capture what was actually happening on the ground and to produce a final report that people would be able to identify with.”

He adds that it contains recommendations that are not going to be easy for existing Branch committees to accept.

In addition, some members have said that there may be a shift in power in the CIOB’s governing council, if the numbers of branches are cut.

not everyone is going to like this. But at the same time we need to stay fit for the future

Martin Chambers

But Chambers says: “I need to make it absolutely clear that will not be a result of this review. CIOB will undertake a separate review of its governance system in due course. In the meantime, Council representation remains untouched.”

The proposed recommendations include:

  • Stripping out the existing “regional” groups seen to be a layer of unnecessary bureaucracy;
  • Rationalising the network to create 12 Branches that match regional and national boundaries, together with the whole of Ireland;
  • Improving the use of available local finances by implementing business plans and new accountancy and payment procedures;
  • Reinforcing the support network to provide an improved communications network across the branches;
  • Recruiting members to represent CIOB in influential external positions regionally and nationally;
  • Building on the capacity of Centres to provide local networking and CPD events.
Every single branch and centre responded to the year-long exercise, as well as external agencies including the CIC, CITB and Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment.

Council will decide whether to go ahead with the proposals in June.

CIOB members can view the report, and the final consultation documents in the Members’ Area of the CIOB website, www.ciob.org.uk. Further questions and comments can be sent to bluebook@ciob.org.uk

Source

Construction Manager