East of England
Regional Magazine of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Spring 2012
IN THIS ISSUE: Features 06 RICS Awards 2012 08 Air conditioning in commercial property 09 Employment trends in East Anglia 11 Changes to drain and pipe legislation News 03 Chairman’s update 04 Local news 12 Careers and education
rics.org/east
Dear readers Welcome to the first online edition of RICS East of England Surveyor magazine.
Contacts
With paper becoming an increasingly precious resource and more people opting to read news online, we decided it was time to trial an online version.
Regional Board
Telephone/Email
Chris Barker Chairman & Governing Council Representative
+44(0)1279 647111 cbarker@barker-associates.co.uk
Adrian Davey Elected member & Governing Council Representative
+44(0)1223 713530 apdavey@aol.com
Stephen Boniface Elected member
+44(0)1279 507775 sboniface@whitcp.co.uk
Nigel Powell Elected member
+44(0)1245 493131 npowellconsult@systech-int.com
Louise Archer Elected member
+44(0)1603 750260 louise.archer@broadlandhousing.org
Laurence Castle Selected member & Norfolk Local Association Chairman
+44(0)1223 484654 laurencecastle@yahoo.co.uk
Raymond Bateman Selected member & Beds & Herts Local Association Chairman
+44(0) 1707 281 382 r.bateman@herts.ac.uk
Jon Nelson +44(0)1603 628194 Selected member & RICS matrics Norfolk Vice-Chairman Jonathan.Nelson@davislangdon.com
In this edition of East of England Surveyor, you will find all the latest local news and events. Feature articles look at changes to legislation governing ownership of drains, the RICS East of England Award entries for this year, air conditioning in commercial property and employment trends in East Anglia’s construction industry. In the careers and education section you will hear from some of the regions’ new APC graduates and social media expert Tim Wright has put together an article on getting started with online networking. If you have any comments please email easternregion@rics.org
Other local group contacts Edward Byam-Cook Cambridgeshire Local Association Chairman
+44(0)1954 211933 elbyamcook@aol.com
Paul Bird +44(0) Essex Local Association Chairman
1245 254670 Paul.Bird@struttandparker.com
Annett Thompson Suffolk Local Association Chairman
+44(0)1473 264132 Annett.Thompson@suffolk.gov.uk
Simon Wayland Peterborough QS Group Chairman
+44(0)1733 312252 simon.wayland@henryriley.co.uk
RICS matrics contacts
Cover Photo: Spains Hall finished front south elevation.
Paul Terry RICS matrics Beds & Herts Chairman
+44(0)1462 436318 PaulTerry@rlpsurveyors.co.uk
Robert Gould RICS matrics Cambridgeshire Chairman
+44(0)1279 647111 rgould@barker-associates.co.uk
Amy Leader RICS matrics Essex Chairman
+44(0)7590 764114 amyleader@btinternet.com
Material for the next edition to be sent to:
Tim Boucher RICS matrics Norfolk Chairman
+44(0)1603 628194 Tim.Boucher@davislangdon.com
easternregion@rics.org
Dayle Bayliss RICS matrics Suffolk Chairman
+44(0)1787 224354 dayliss@hotmail.com
Regional Office Mill House, Mill Court, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5LD
©RICS 2012. All rights reserved.
+44(0)1223 470570 easternregion@rics.org
legal responsibility for any loss or damage
contact@rics.org
suffered as a result of any inadvertent inaccuracy. This publication does not
Delegate Booking Unit +44(0)20 7695 1600
only. Although high standards have been used in its preparation, RICS accepts no
RICS Contact Centre +44(0)870 333 1600
This publication is for general information
necessarily represent RICS views and
events@rics.org
should not be relied upon without seeking independent, professional advice. This publication should not be republished or reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior approval by RICS.
02 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
Chairman’s
update here have been changes to RICS’ regional representation over recent months and the UK has been split into UK North and South. Along with the changes in the UK structure, there has been re-organisation in the staff structure with changes to the regional team.
T
The East of England Regional Board works on two levels. We help deliver the RICS Business Plan which is set out by the UK World Regional Board and we are also here to represent you as members. Despite the economic downturn, there is the recognition for membership growth opportunities in all sectors of the profession. RICS is also keeping a watchful eye on membership demographics. Many chartered surveyors are now over 50years-old and new members are needed to ensure that the profession grows and is fit for the future. As Regional Board members we meet three times a year to review progress and contribute to the success of RICS
while maintaining a monitoring role on the concerns of our membership. We also work with RICS employees to forge links with other professions, government bodies and represent the needs and aspirations of our regional clients. The staff role is wide-reaching and includes media relations, membership growth and organising four or five CPD events a week. We help events staff ensure that content is relevant and up-to-date. And let me remind you, RICS is incorporated by Royal Charter, which sets out the objectives of the Institution and requires it to: “Promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the UK and in any other part of the world.” No matter what change is taking place within RICS locally, nationally or globally, this is the one value which underpins the profession. If you would like to get more involved with RICS, then please don’t hesitate to contact me on cbarker@barker-associates.co.uk
Chris Barker RICS East of England Regional Chair +44 (0)1279 647111 cbarker@barker-associates.co.uk
New Director for RICS South RICS is pleased to announce the appointment of Luay Al-Khatib as director for the South of England region. Luay brings over eleven years’ experience within the organisation, joining the UK team from RICS HQ, where he was special advisor to the President. Prior to this Luay was responsible for valuation standards development within the profession. Regarding his appointment Luay said: “Market conditions in the UK remain tough, which is precisely why our profession has so much to offer. High standards in property and construction have never been more relevant to society at large, so our commitment to expertise, integrity and innovation will be the recipe for long term success. I am excited about working with our staff and member team, to harness the skill and energy of what is arguably the profession’s most important region, in order to ensure that clients, employers and the public recognise the value of our standards.”
Media mentions... Innovation recognised in buildings Newcombe Court, Sainsbury Laboratory and the Long Stanton exhibition centre are among the buildings that have been nominated for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Annual Awards. Building projects entered in this year's RICS awards have been recognised for their innovative qualities. Interview with Simon Pott FRICS.
City landmarks up for awards Numerous Norfolk buildings have been shortlisted for this year's Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Awards, which have seen a 40% increase in the number of entrants to a total of 477 received nationally. Norwich Advertiser (Main) 9 Mar 2012
Resisting regional rent increases... The cost of renting increased at a slower rate in the first part of 2012, as some tenants resisted sharp rises. This is according to the RICS, whose spokesman, Stuart Harris, added that tenant demand has also decreased. Eastern Daily Press (Homes24), 13 Mar 2012
RICS holds schools on building conservation The RICS is urging owners of older buildings to keep up-to-date with maintenance to avoid long-term and costly damage. Dunmow Broadcast & Recorder (Home), 23 Feb 2012
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire 5 March 2012
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 03
Local News local news from around the region
Inspiring future generations
Key topics on Governing Council’s agenda Operational Performance Vice-Presidential Elections Regulation Global Professional and Ethical Standards Continuing Professional Development
Daniel Felgate MRICS
Daniel Felgate, 24, from Ipswich, is a graduate building surveyor with Castons and he is training to be a chartered building surveyor. He is one year into his APC and is also a member of the RICS matrics Suffolk committee. He tells us about his work with local school children to raise awareness about sustainability and jobs within the surveying world. “As part of the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts (JPCCA) project in Stowmarket, I was involved with the ‘Mad Green Scientists’ project, working with local schools to educate the next generation about the importance of sustainable living, how precious our planets’ resources are and to inspire them to want to change the way they live.
Winner of the presentation quiz
Presentations were held at Combs Middle School and Stowmarket Middle School and I covered topics such as ‘What is sustainable living’, ‘How we impact our environment in our daily lives’, ‘the importance of green technology’ and ‘eco design in buildings’ and ‘how we are incorporating sustainability into the JPCCA project’.
The presentations also enlightened students about chartered surveyors and project managers and the role we play in society and achieving environmental conformance. Next, I will participate in an activity day at the JPCCA where I will be helping the children build a working solar thermal panel which they use at their respective schools over the next three months and record their energy results. The school with the best results will be awarded a prize.”
04 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
Future RICS Corporate Strategy Membership Satisfaction Corporate Responsibility Adrian Davey MRICS, East of England Regional Board member is the IGC representative for the Eastern region. Here he talks about his role “Last November I attended my first International Governing Council meeting. More than 50 RICS Governing Council members met in Brighton, most from the UK but a good number from Europe, America and Asia. Malaysian President See Lian Ong chaired the meeting, encouraging all of us to have our say and dealing with 18 agenda items within the one long day. A masterful piece of stewardship! I was surprised at how open and frank discussions were. In particular, the waving of green cards in support, and the waving of red cards in disagreement, of what was being said. As discussions progressed, I was encouraged by frequent references to ‘what would members busy practising on their own, or running small businesses think?’ The concerns of existing members were considered alongside the need to look to the future, expanding RICS’ influence in the UK and abroad. Many of the key discussions were accompanied by electronic voting, providing the Leadership Team with Governing Council’s views on the direction of different policies being developed. The next IGC is at a conference in Beijing in March. If you want to make a contribution to the direction of the RICS, or hear more about Governing Council, please feel free to contact me with ‘RICS’ in the title of the email at adrian.davey@candcd.co.uk”
Local News local news from around the region
Exploring Norwich
John Allison reports on recent CPD events in Norfolk
The Norfolk group recently toured City Hall: one of the iconic 'Norwich 12', the twelve most significant buildings in Norwich. One of the most expensive public buildings of its time, The South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection (SADCC), Norwich City Hall was completed in 1938, loosely speaking, as the third wing of the building was never built. The Hall changed the face of Norwich, as part of the remodelling to create clear lines of sight over the market place and war memorial, between City Hall and the castle. The building's interior boasts some of the world's finest materials. We certainly had our eyes opened to the fine art deco detail that goes unnoticed in passing. In February we were the guests of Mr and Mrs Milward,
owners of Country and Eastern and the South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection (SADCC), which are located in a spectacular building. Originally constructed to exploit the 1870s roller skating craze, it closed shortly afterwards, before becoming a revue theatre, Salvation Army hall and finally a building merchant's stores. After years of neglect and false starts the building has finally been restored for a use that suits its scale. From his meticulous research Mr Milward gave a history of the building from its design by Edward Boardman onwards. The most striking feature is the composite timber roof trusses which even featured in a mathematical text. The SADCC includes artefacts from all aspects of family life and some European art dating from England's early exploration of India. In the days before photography, many had been painted by surveyors sent to assess and record defences in advance of conquest. If you have any suggestions for future events in spring and summer 2012, contact John Allison, t: 01603 605215 e: allisonjadhome@aol.com
Sourced locally Dayle Bayliss MRICS, chairman of Suffolk matrics tells us about the East of England Co-operative Society Earlier this year we invited Kevin Warden Local Sourcing Manager for the East of England Co-operative Society, to speak to RICS Suffolk matrics about his role at the Society and the importance of sourced locally products. We heard about several local products, a new tea range blended by Jarretts Teacare Services of Mendlesham and packed by Whitehouse Enterprises in Ipswich; strawberries that are picked and in-store within two hours, and bread which is baked within 192 steps of the Long Stratton supermarket, where it is sold in-store. Buying local products and supporting local businesses undoubtedly has a knockon effect for the property and surveying industry. Schemes such as the Society’s ‘Sourced Locally’, are a major boost for the local economy and opting to use local
farmers and producers has meant that there have been more opportunities for local property advisors . Chartered surveyors are able to provide their knowledge and expertise to potential clients, assisting with their expansion plans for the future. Our Chairperson, present at the meeting, was able to confirm her own experience of Project Managing the construction of an extension to a local sausage factory that as a result of their products being stocked by the East of England Co-op, required more space. Another had a similar experience with a producer who, as a result of their expansion following the Society’s support, required additional storage facilities, which led to the surveyor being retained to find an appropriate property. These examples alone demonstrate the importance, to both local suppliers and the surveying industry, of choosing local East of England products and the benefits that it can provide.
This year’s RICS Awards are being sponsored by chartered accountants Price Bailey, English Heritage, London Stansted airport and Hays. For more information about this year’s RICS East of England Awards see page 6.
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 05
FEATURE
Who will win? East of England projects to compete at RICS East of England Awards 2012 hirty three projects from across the East of England region will compete for the most prestigious prize in the UK property industry, the RICS Awards 2012. Cambridgeshire will be well represented at the regional final with eight entries from around the county.
T
Representing a full spectrum of organisations and projects worldwide, 477 entrants were received nationally for this year’s RICS Awards - a huge 40 percent increase on last year. The RICS Awards consists of four categories: Building Conservation, Regeneration, Design and Innovation and Community Benefit. Building projects which enter the RICS Awards vary from small, innovative schemes which might have benefitted from the vision and persistence of one person, to multimillion pound budget, globally recognised developments. The eight Cambridgeshire projects will first compete in a regional heat, the RICS East of England Awards and the
Commenting on the regional award entries, Stephen Boniface FRICS, lead judge for the RICS East of England Awards, said:
“The RICS Awards recognise exceptional contribution to conservation and enhancement of our built and natural environment. With a record number of national entries, the regional judges are going to be faced with assessing the most hotly contested competition ever and this year’s entries demonstrate the high standard of work undertaken by surveyors and other property professionals in the East of England. I am personally very excited about judging all of the projects over the coming weeks.”
Hertfordshire entries
Essex entries Building
winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Chilford Hall Vineyard in Cambridgeshire on Thursday 10th May. Winners from the regional heat will then form the shortlist for the national grand final awards in London in October.
Category
Building
Category
The Hermitage, Braxted Park Estate, Essex
Building Conservation
St Mary the Virgin Church Building Conservation Tower
The Galleries, Brentwood, Essex
Building Conservation
University of Hertfordshire Design and Innovation Law Court
Conservation of Spains Hall, Essex
Building Conservation
Salvation Army Chelmsford Citadel
Design and Innovation
Brentwood School Sixth Design and Innovation Form Centre and Assembly Hall Tendring Technology College, New Sixth Form Centre
Whitwell Pavilion
Community Benefit
Lee Valley White Water Centre
Community Benefit
Watford Colosseum
Regeneration
Community Benefit
Spains Hall, Essex
06 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
St Mary the Virgin Church Tower
FEATURE
Cambridgeshire entries Building
Category
Norfolk entries Building
Category
The Chapter House, Jesus College, Cambridge
Building Conservation
Norwich Memorial Garden, Norwich
Building conservation
The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Design and Innovation
Feering Bury Farm Barn, Norwich
Building conservation
WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC, Stanground Store, Peterborough
Design and Innovation
Low House Barn, Norwich
Building conservation Regeneration
Long Stanton Exhibition Centre, Long Stanton Park and Ride
Design and Innovation
Caro Court, 100 St Benedicts, Norfolk The Old Art College, Great Yarmouth
Regeneration
Richard Newcombe Court, Histon Road, Cambridge
Design and Innovation
The Haven – A house on the broads, Norfolk
Design and Innovation
Richard Newcombe Court, Histon Road, Cambridge
Community Benefit
Peter’s Bridge, Norfolk
Design and Innovation
Millbrook House Extra Care, Soham
Community Benefit
Caro Court, 100 St Benedicts, Norfolk
Design and Innovation
Cathedral Square Regeneration, Peterborough
Regeneration
Whitlingham Quarry, Norfolk
Community Benefit
The Norwich OPEN Youth Centre
Community Benefit
The Old Art College, Great Yarmouth
The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Suffolk entries
Bedfordshire entries Building St Margaret of Antioch Church
Category Building Conservation
St Margaret of Antioch Church, south elevation
Building
Category
Place Farm Primary School, Haverhill
Design and Innovation
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Design and Innovation
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Community Benefit
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 07
FEATURE
Air conditioning costs: blowing hot & cold Fiona MacLellan from Pinsent Masons warns that air conditioning in commercial property may need to be replaced to comply with EU law. But who is liable for the cost – the landlord or the tenant? From 2015, use of the HCFC gas R22 (‘R22’) as a refrigerant for air conditioning equipment will become illegal in all EU member states. R22 is an ozone-depleting substance that contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere and is commonly used in air conditioning systems pre-dating 2004. Its use has already started to be phased out. Since 2004 a ban has been in place on using the gas in new air conditioning equipment. In 2010, European Regulation 1005/2009 imposed a ban against using new (or “virgin”) R22 to maintain existing air conditioning equipment. Since then, only recycled R22 (obtained from decommissioned equipment) can be used to do so.
Replace or repair? Air conditioning equipment requires routine servicing and maintenance, which typically involves topping it up with more refrigerant. From 2015, it will become illegal to top up such equipment with R22, be it virgin or recycled. So, air conditioning systems using R22 will have to be either replaced or, alternatively, repaired and maintained using a more modern refrigerant.
The latter option would typically involve a general refurbishment of the equipment, including replacing those component parts designed to operate with R22 with parts designed for use with modern refrigerants. Many manufacturers advise against this as it can lead to poorer equipment performance and so higher energy costs. Each case will differ, but the costs and practicalities involved may mean replacement will be the only viable option for many systems.
Who will pay? In a question between landlords and tenants, who will be responsible for the costs involved will depend upon the wording of their lease. In multi-occupancy situations, the landlord will want to know that it can charge such costs to the service charge account. Other possible implications include: 1. The prospect of such looming costs could be a factor in a tenant’s decision to exercise a break clause or whether to renew a lease. 2. Tenants negotiating a new lease may be reluctant to agree to full repairing obligations in respect of air conditioning equipment that uses R22. They may also be wary about having to pay for such costs through any statutory compliance obligation. 3. The emergence of a two-tier market, between those air conditioned premises that use R22 and those that do not. One thing is certain, the change is significant and there could be some frosty negotiations ahead about the costs involved.
For more information, please email fiona.maclellan@pinsentmasons.com
08 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
A good job!
FEATURE
Nadine Blandin, Manager at Hays, the leading recruiting expert, comments on employment trends in East Anglia’s construction and property sector While the East Anglian construction industry remains cautious we have seen an increase in activity in some specific skill areas. It’s still early days to tell whether or not this trend will continue, but there are positive signs for the regional industry. We have seen an increase in high-end residential new build project related roles with a demand for construction staff with the civil and infrastructure sectors also growing. We expect demand to continue throughout the year with the deep water port in South Essex entering Phase 2, and plans such as Northstowe, the A14 extension and the rail developments in Cambridge. In Peterborough, construction professionals with water experience are still sought after by consultancies and contractors alike involved with the AMP5 Investment Programme. Nadine Blandin, Manager at Hays
Across all surveying disciplines, qualified professionals are still in demand and with many new projects in the pipeline, employers are starting to look at adding to their teams. We also expect that initiatives such as the Property Data Survey Programme will mean a need for temporary and/or fixed term contract opportunities for surveyors in the next 12-18 months. In fact, temporary opportunities should not be overlooked when professionals are considering new roles, as we have seen a significant increase of temporary roles being translated into permanent roles in the Cambridge area. Organisations across the region are also starting to look at salary benchmarking to ensure they retain and recruit staff as new job opportunities arise.
All of this is encouraging news but employers are still being sent a large number of applications and therefore construction professionals need to do all they can to ensure they stand out from the crowd. Jobseekers in the construction sector need to be smart in their approach to job-hunting, target specific vacancies with tailored applications that show how the skills and experience they have meet the requirements of the role. We have seen employers asking candidates at interview for examples of their work such as photos of projects they have taken part in or risk assessments and method statements. Employers are being more specific when recruiting: qualifications, technical ability but also sector expertise is a must. Soft skills are as important and employers are increasingly asking for multi-skilled professionals, who will be able to demonstrate strong people skills and business acumen. Now, more than ever, organisations are looking to secure the very best professionals in order to ensure their business is running as efficiently and cost effectively as possible as they prepare for future growth. If you are currently looking for a new job or thinking of your next career move, you need to think carefully about how you need to adapt to make the most of these opportunities.
For more information visit hays.co.uk or contact Nadine Blandin at Hays on t: 01223 464 577, e: Nadine.blandin@hays.com or connect with Hays on LinkedIn.
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 09
Policy News policy news from around the region
Members voice concerns over PII
RICS develops robust residential policy January saw a number of local members gather at Cambridge & County Developments’ offices to discuss the future of residential policy. This was part of an England-wide member consultation using member expertise and market experience to develop practical, workable RICS residential policy. This will help RICS to work with Government and the sector to deliver a sustainable housing market with the right type of housing in the right place for all. Points raised came under the following headlines: getting the home ownership market moving again, new ways of building homes and social and affordable housing. Suggestions made included: G
G
G
G
G
RICS needs to influence the Council of Mortgage Lenders and government to increase the availability of mortgage finance. Members felt that this was the biggest single issue overriding everything else. RICS must advocate a change to the Stamp Duty Land Tax regime, which they felt grossly distorts the housing market.
In March RICS members gathered in Cambridge as part of an RICS consultation on the subject of professional indemnity insurance. Members were asked to address a series of questions put to them by a working group whose report explored the current state of the professional indemnity insurance market. The current quantity and real cost of handling alleged negligence claims, primarily in the UK is sufficiently large that this is having a very significant impact on the cost of PII, not just for firms for have received claims, but for the market as a whole. There is a growing view that in the UK the current position is unsustainable with a dysfunctional relationship between current valuation fees and current PII costs which are designed to cover potential unproved past negligence. The outcome of the UK-wide consultation will be a position which will ensure long-term protection, lender confidence and an effectively functioning market. RICS will also engage with insurers, the lending community, Government and regulators.
RICS should encourage Local Planning Authorities to be courageous in their approach to new methods of construction. RICS should push for a favourable tax regime to get new methods of construction moving. RICS is currently taking member views into account in drafting a practical set of proposals for government and the sector.
Members will also be pleased that RICS included many of their points in its recent budget submission.
10 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
Emma Fitzgibbon is the Policy Manager for RICS South and if you wish to contact her about policy issues, please email efitzgibbon@rics.org
FEATURE
roperty owners in England and Wales have benefitted from new Government regulations which have removed the burden of responsibility for many privately owned drains and sewers away from owners and passed this to the water and sewerage companies.
P
This change in responsibility will simplify and bring clarity to what Nicholas Cook, Birketts LLP has in the past often been a complex area often complicated by multiple ownership issues. The Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011 transferred ownership as from 1st October 2011 (with a few statutory exceptions, including those in some areas of Crown land if notice was given to exempt before July 2011, railway undertakers and those completed prior to 1st October 1937), of all private sewers and lateral drains (residential and commercial) connected to the public sewerage system as at 1st July 2011 to the statutory (regulated) sewerage undertakers (RSC’s). The additional costs incurred by the RCS’s as a result of this transfer will be covered by increased water and sewerage bills. Pre-transfer property owners were often unaware that they were responsible for private sewers, especially where these ran outside their property boundaries. As a result maintenance and repairs were often an issue.
Drains (the second element covered by the regulations), are pipes carrying waste water away from a single property. These belong to the owner of the property connected and remain their responsibility for maintenance and repair until they connect to someone else’s drain or a sewer. A lateral drain is the part of a drain which lies outside the boundary of a property and runs under other properties or public highway. On 1st October 2011, there was an automatic transfer of all private sewers and lateral drains to the relevant RSC. From that date property owners are no longer responsible for these A) to the extent that they lie outside the boundary of the property served, or B) to the extent that use of any part is shared with another property owner. The relevant RSC is responsible for their ongoing repair and maintenance. There are additional provisions to cover the future transfer of new sewers and drains via adoption agreements so new properties and pipes will end up in the same position as those pre-dating July 2011. Existing Section 104 agreements will, to the extent of the transferred element, be treated as terminated. Whilst property owners still remain the owners and still remain the maintenance and repair obligations for drains which A) lie within the boundaries of a property and B) which exclusively serve that property, the new changes and reduced responsibility and saving should leave owners a little more flushed than before.
Sewers are pipes which conduct waste water from more than one property. These often run under several properties before joining the mains. Private sewers serving groups of properties were previously the shared responsibility of the property owners who were connected to them.
This article has been provided by Nicholas Cook, a Consultant with the East Anglian regional law firm of Birketts LLP, Solicitors, with offices in Ipswich, Chelmsford, Cambridge and Norwich. Tel 01245 211202 e-mail nicholas-cook@birketts.co.uk This article is by way of illustration only. Law as at March 2012. Specific legal advice should be taken in any individual application.
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 11
Careers & Education Masters of all they survey RICS East of England APC graduates Newly qualified chartered surveyors from across the East of England who successfully completed their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) have been celebrating. The 36 men and women who have been awarded membership status are now establishing careers in the
property sector in disciplines which include quantity surveying, valuation, rural practice, building surveying, management consultancy and commercial practice. RICS chartered status is widely regarded as the world’s leading qualification when it comes to land, property and construction and RICS
Leigh Doran MRICS, 25, who works for BAM Nuttall in Luton and lives in St Neots Cambridgeshire commented: “I studied a four year degree in Quantity Surveying and Construction Commercial Management. The degree included a year in industry which I spent in Vancouver, Canada working as a trainee QS. I enjoyed my time doing this and started my APC. I wanted to become MRICS to encourage other quantity surveyors within the civil engineering sector to become chartered and be able to mentor others. “It felt great to pass my APC. I read the first line of the letter and then got on the phone to tell people the good news that I had worked very hard to achieve.”
Thomas Corfield MRICS, 28, Irelands Chartered Surveyors & Auctioneers, Norwich: “Passing the APC has been the most satisfying experience and signifies the end of my ‘training’; of course the learning will not stop, and now I can move on to gain more practical experience which will be supported by CPD training events.”
12 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
members operate in 17 wide-ranging areas of the property industry. To win the accolade, graduates and practicing professionals have to complete a two to three year period of structured training, leading to the APC in their chosen discipline.
Adam Mills MRICS, 30, Development Manager, Tesco Stores Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, Herts: “I wanted to become a chartered surveyor because it’s a vocational career. The imminent arrival of my first child provided me with the added motivation to sit the APC. Having a baby girl and then finding out that I had passed the APC exponentially outweighed the hard-work which had gone to achieving this result. I managed to do all of this while maintaining my daily duties in securing sites for Tesco. “I feel particularly privileged to be part of a Royal Institution, and have met the standards recognised to be the world’s premier property qualification.”
Careers & Education RICS UK launches new Associate pathway for Real Estate Agency
East Anglian chartered surveyors and auctioneers TW Gaze has appointed a new partner – Rachael Hipperson who is a rural surveyor, specialising in estates management. The 30-year old said: “It excites me working in a profession which allows me to undertake a huge variety work as well as meeting a lot of different people”.
RICS has launched a new pathway to Associate membership: Real Estate Agency is suitable for candidates working in sales and lettings for residential, commercial and mixed use property. Replacing the UK Residential estate agency pathway, the new qualification broadens career opportunities and has a broader scope of competencies including ‘Landlord and tenant’ and ‘Legal and regulatory compliance’, and combines ‘Measurement’ and ‘Inspection of land and property’.
RICS’ newest qualification is an opportunity for those who work in real estate agency who don’t have a degree but have relevant work experience to gain professional recognition. The new pathway joins the existing specialisms in the real estate sector including residential property management, commercial property management and residential Survey and valuation. More information is available at rics.org/associate
FEATURE
10 Tips for getting to grips with social media
Social media expert Tim Wright from twintangibles gives us his top 10 tips on getting started with social media. Get ready to take the plunge...
1 2 3 4 5
Get in - you may think it is a passing fad but don’t. Social media is here to stay and just as your clients, partners, staff and suppliers expect you to have a phone, email and website they will also expect you to have a social media presence. Be strategic - get involved with a purpose. Social media is much more than marketing. It can enhance innovation, collaboration, knowledge sharing, disaster recovery, raising finance and a whole range of applications. Know why you are doing it. For larger firms deploying it internally facing can yield huge benefits. Create some targets and metrics, both qualitative and quantitative, and monitor them. This helps to gauge your progress. Act on what you discover. Choose your channels wisely. There are many social media channels and platforms. Select the ones for your purpose. Consider how to resource this. It takes time, effort and skills so plan appropriately and for the long term, walk before running.
6 7 8 9 10
Have a content and publishing plan. Consider re-purposing material you might already have, and consider the tone and terminology you will use in your conversations. Develop some simple policies that set out the terms under which you use social media. They don’t have to be complicated. Have a crisis plan for using social media when disaster strikes. Listen. A key aspect of social media is that you don’t control the channels or the conversations. People can talk about you if you like it or not. Listen, respond and be respectful. It is a conversation. Two ears one mouth as they say. Engage. Social media is characterised by engagement and responsiveness. You need to participate, be human and authentic. Don’t be afraid. It is not something to fear, it’s an opportunity, but equally don’t be afraid to get advice.
Further information Twintangibles is an advisory and research firm that helps organisations generate value from social media and the mindset that underpins its use. Contact Tim at tim.tescape@googlemail.com. Why not join the RICS East of England LinkedIn group to get you started! 14 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
RICS Training From the world’s leading professional body for qualifications in land, property and construction
RICS APC Portal - coming soon RICS is launching a new Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) portal in spring, which will support candidates through each of their structured training milestones. The interactive learning platform will include a comprehensive range of APC guidance and information to help trainees develop their skills, knowledge and competence. Covering all 21 pathways to membership, the portal will have a range of features including courses, resources, documents and information to match
each pathway’s competency requirements. There will be online forums to provide help and support throughout the entire APC process and dedicated web classes so people can take part in live online discussions, including topics raised in the online forums.
To find out more email onlineacademy@rics.org
RICS launches 17 key skills modules RICS are pleased to announce the introduction of 17 key skills modules on the Online Academy. Each programme consists of different courses that are mapped against RICS’ competencies. The courses ensure relevant training for trainee and professional members in key competency areas including Finance, Business Planning, Client Care, Communication and Negotiation, Conflict, Teamworking, Leadership and Managing People. Each programme takes you through a series of courses lasting 30 minutes which feature practical exercises that develop your knowledge and skills. In addition these cost effective modules contribute up to 4 CPD hours and can be taken at a time and place to suit you. For more information visit www.rics.org/onlineacademy
Learn at your at your own pace with RICS’ CEM distance learning courses RICS is delighted to announce a new portfolio of distance learning courses, developed with the College of Estate Management. Established in 1919, the CEM has an excellent reputation as a provider of distance learning courses for property and construction professionals with more than 4,000 students in 100 countries. The courses provide the ideal platform to support the development of professional experience as they enable you to gain expertise, knowledge and key management skills at a time and pace to suit your schedule. For more information visit www.rics.org/training
Spring 2012 I East of England Surveyor I 15
RICS Events in and around your region
RICS Cambridgeshire Insurance and Warranties
RICS Norfolk - Legal Update
The talk will cover the purpose of collateral warranties and insurance for construction projects, collateral warranty key drafting issues, different types of insurance and case law on effect and interpretation.
Robert Pyke and Adrian Newborough, Fosters Solicitors, will give an update on current legal issues that are relevant to surveyors.
Date: 23 April 2012
Date: 18 May 2012
Time: 17:30 - 19:00
Time: 12:30 – 14:00
Location: Robinson College, Grange Rd, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 9AN
Location: St Giles’ Rooms, 47 St Giles’ Street, Norwich NR2 1JR
Speaker: James Coppinger, Buckles Solicitors LLP £21.00 Ref: 11657
Speaker: Robert Pyke & Adrian Newborough £21.00 Ref: 10727
RICS Beds & Herts Landlord & Tenant Update
RICS Beds & Herts Timber Frame Repairs of Heritage Assets
The experts from Taylor Walton have will provide an informative and entertaining talk on the latest updates in the field of Landlord and Tenant.
Brian’s session will cover philosophy, legislation and guidance, timber, defects, types of repair and infill panels.
Date: 25 April 2012
Date: 30 May 2012
Time: 18:00 – 19:30
Time: 18:00 - 19:30
Location: College Lane Campus University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB
Location: College Lane Campus University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB
Speaker: Mike Kelly, Taylor Walton
Speaker: Brian Livesey, JG Matthews Ltd £19.80 Ref: 10845
£19.80 Ref: 10844
RICS Roadshow Red Book
RICS Suffolk - So Climate Is Real - What Can We Do About It?
RICS Red Book Seminars provide an essential update on the new revisions to the 2012 Red Book and the issues and challenges currently affecting valuers and valuation. The seminars run across the UK and provide practical guidance to ensure that both commercial and residential practitioners conduct Red Book compliant valuations. Date: 01 May 2012 Time: 13:30 – 15:15
John Midwinter, FRS FREng, Emeritus Pender Professor UCL will take a close look at where energy goes in the home and discuss practical ways to reduce or switch to renewable sources without loss of comfort.
Location: Cambridge Belfry, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6BW
Location: Holiday Inn Ipswich Orwell, The Havens, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich IP3 9SJ
Speaker: Various
Speaker: Philip Rose, Foundation East
£180.00 Ref: 12341
Date: 12 June 2012
Time: 07:45 – 09:30
£22.80
Ref: 11909
RICS Suffolk - Managing Project Development Complexity & Stakeholder Interfaces
RICS Norfolk - Structural Problems in Buildings - What Can Go Wrong
Using case studies, Richard Graham, Head of Strategic Development at Balfour Beatty Rail UK Ltd will lead you through this complex subject. He will also discuss rail planning in Suffolk and the East of England. Time: 07:45 – 09:30
Using his wide experiences and illustrating his talk with case studies, Jon will guide you through examples of when problems occur or when they are perceived to occur. He will include examples of drawings and specifications, plus examples of site supervision problems that have happened to architects, surveyors and engineers. Date: 22 June 2012 Time: 12:30 – 14:00
Location: Holiday Inn Ipswich Orwell, The Havens, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich IP3 9SJ
Location: St Giles’ Rooms, 47 St Giles’ Street, Norwich NR2 1JR
Speaker: Richard Graham Balfour Beatty Rail £22.80 Ref: 11910
Speaker: Jon Chick, JP Chick & Partners Ltd £21.00
Date: 01 May 2012
Ref: 10730
East of England Awards 2012 The awards showcase the region’s top projects and celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment. Join us for an evening of celebration and networking as we announce the East of England winners. Date: 10 May 2012
Time: 19:00 - 23:30
Location: Chilford Hall, Balsham Road, Linton, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4LE Speaker: Michael Newey, RICS Senior Vice President £various Ref: 10961 Colour Key
East of England
Beds & Herts
To book any of these RICS events: rics.org/east 16 I East of England Surveyor I Spring 2012
Cambridgeshire
Norfolk
Peterborough
or +44 (0)207 695 1600
Suffolk