RICS recently held two strategic roundtable meetings in Birmingham and Bristol in conjunction with POS to discuss the draft National Planning Policy Framework. The aim was to assist and inform consultation responses, ongoing and future discussions on the NPPF with government officials and ministers. Such discussions have been welcomed by participants in bringing all sides together to examine topical issues.

In a lively debate, whilst the principle of the NPPF was commended there were inevitably some concerns about certain elements of content, implications and impact.

Key areas considered included what additional guidance if any might be needed to back up the NPPF, implications for existing core strategies, practicalities for new core strategies, clarity – or not, impact on industry and investor confidence and certainty, likelihood of appeals, skills and resource to deliver, necessary cross border issues and the duty to cooperate. New opportunities and freedoms were also identified.

Local Association groups have been growing in number, size and stature. There is now a pot of money which has been set aside from which to secure funding for local and regional activities. This has already started with some really good networking events taking place. I would urge you to get in touch with your Local Association to find out more.

The new UK Executive Director, Mark Walley, has been working hard with Richard Moxon, the Chair of the UK World Regional Board, to ensure that RICS becomes ever more relevant to us all. Both will be coming to the second annual Regional Assembly which will this year be taking place shortly at Dartington Hall, Totnes. I would ask you to consider attending in order to learn more about what your Institution does for you on a day to day basis.

There will also be an opportunity to hear more about the Online Academy which is an excellent new way of delivering lifelong learning. Over 7,000 people are already signed up to use this service.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are beginning to make headway and at the time of writing nearly all areas in our region have now established an LEP. I will stick my neck out and suggest that by the time you read this all areas will have one. Property has a very significant part to play in the effective running of LEPs and it is imperative that Chartered Surveyors get involved where they can to offer advice and assistance.

One final plea - when you’re out and about, keep your eyes open for suitable projects to enter the RICS Awards. This has become highly popular with architects and other professions – we must do more to promote the wide and varied involvement of the surveyor. More information available on the RICS Awards pages.

James Gregory MRICS

South West Regional Chair

t +44 (0)1793 428 106

e jgregory@alderking.com

After an extremely successful first CPD Day Conference which took place in May, preparations are now well under way for the Annual Gala Dinner which is held in association with Bournemouth Property Association (BPA) and Southern Society of Chartered Accountants (SOSCA).

The dinner will be held on 7^th October at the Highcliff Marriott in Bournemouth.  This year’s guest speaker is Chris Cowdrey, ex-England Cricketer and son of Sir Colin Cowdrey, who is much in demand as one of the most humorous public speakers. Don’t miss out on this highly regarded event in the business diary; early bird rates are available, so book now.

The Gala Dinner this year has kindly been sponsored by RSM Tenon – who have recently opened a new branch in Bournemouth.

Also in the planning is the Autumn CPD Day Conference, which will follow the format of the Spring event which proved to be popular with members. The programme will feature leading speakers who are experts in their sector and will bring you up to date with any changes, developments and initiatives in Land, Construction and Property.

Phil Beattie
South Wessex Local Association Chair

pbeattie@savills.com

The Devon and Cornwall committee has worked hard to organise events for the region. Our cross professional summer barbeque at Double Locks was well received despite the distinctly damp weather, typical of an English summer! Fortunately the venue had a marquee and the evening proved an enjoyable opportunity to network.

It is encouraging to observe that forward thinking firms in the South West are continuing to take on graduates. These graduates are enthusiastic and keen to get involved so I was pleased to see new committee members appointed at our recent AGM. The continued presence of a number of previous committee members will help to maintain continuity and will allow us to build on the programme of events which the committee has put together. These include the annual ball which is booked for 27 January 2012 and a fashion show planned for 21 March 2012.

New members I speak to are always keen to receive more help and support with their APC and one of the priorities of the new committee will be to put together a package of events to provide that link. I would encourage new members to get in touch with the committee as we are always happy to provide informal advice or point you in the right direction.

John Read MRICS
RICS matrics Devon and Cornwall Chair

+44 (0)1392 429315
john.read@kingsturge.com  

Foot Anstey Solicitors hosted a seminar on behalf of the RICS earlier this year; it included an update on the localism bill which promises to change the whole planning system by encouraging local people to be at the heart of the system.

We were fortunate to be able to hear about the £275m being invested by Exeter University in to their campus. The seminar also had an excellent session on restrictive covenants over land.

An informative talk on how to avoid being negligent as a surveyor in practice and some examples of those people who have unfortunately been so was also highlighted.

Andrew Chamen gave a master class on development viability; this talk demonstrated how to work with local authorities to allow developments to come forward, and most importantly allow much needed housing to be built in the South West.

I have recently become more involved with the South West Housing Initiative which is lobbying government with the help of many professional bodies to try and make them understand the pertinent issues of the housing shortage/supply issue in our region.

If you would like to get involved in the region, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Marcel Venn MRICS

Exeter Local Association Chair

+44 (0) 7855 916 198

MarcelVenn@hotmail.com

Cornwall Local Association held a half day event in June at the glorious setting of Boconnoc House, Lostwithiel, on the theme of ‘An Update of the commercial property sector in Cornwall’.

Forty two delegates came to hear informative and useful presentations from selected experts in their fields on topics covering a wide range of subjects, all relevant to the commercial property sector in the county of Cornwall.

We heard from Paul Bateman on influence planning on the Plan for Growth in the county, as well as an update on commercial planning law from Suzanne Walford of Foot Anstey and an enlightening talk on the growth and importance of the Cornish economy from Carleen Keleman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Convergence Partnership. Other topics covered were property development law from Michael Beadel of Stephens Scown and a highly entertaining presentation from Phil Mason, Head of Planning at Cornwall Council, who showed a video recently made by his staff which took a light hearted approach to a typical day in the planning office at a local authority.

Delegates then enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the beautiful dining room of the main house. A very successful event with good feedback from all delegates on the content of the morning and sumptuous venue.

Tim Smart MRICS

Cornwall Local Association Chair

 t +44 (0)1872561121

e timsmart@scctruro.co.uk 

Having taken over as Chair in April, I have quickly found myself embarking on organising a range of events in order to promote the matrics brand in the local area. However, before I progress with the update, may I firstly take this opportunity to thank Chris Hodson, the outgoing chair, for all the effort he has put in over the last year. This is appreciated by all.

Early May saw many of the RICS matrics North Staffs members and other local professionals partaking in a Pub Quiz which was very kindly sponsored by Co-Star. The top prize of an iPod was won following a few heated rounds of tie-breaker questions!

A New Member’s evening was held early July in Newcastle and was enjoyed by all. This was followed by the local inter-professional 5-a-side football tournament which took place this summer and we are also in the process of organising CPD events, with a charity event taking place later in the year. Please contact me for further details or check out the West Midlands events pages.

RICS matrics North Staffs meets on the first Thursday of every month and anyone wishing to come along will be given a warm and friendly welcome.

Sarah Plant
RICS matrics North Staffordshire Chair
t +44 (0)1782 714 004
e sarah@robertsonsurveyors.co.uk 

We held our AGM in May and elected a new committee that will build on last year’s success in promoting RICS and RICS matrics in the Marches area.

Several of our members completed their ATC/APC and these achievements were celebrated in a ‘post APC wash up’ held in Shrewsbury. The evening allowed those members who completed their APC in the spring session to share their experience with unqualified members. We operate a self help group to assist members undertaking their APC.

In June we jointly held a ‘Gin tasting’ event with Shrewsbury Young Professionals at Tanners in Shrewsbury.  We tasted a variety of gins with different ingredients and learnt how they were produced. We were challenged to identify the different types of gin which became extremely difficult as the night went on. The evening was enjoyed by all and our members had an opportunity to network with other local professionals.

We have a new members evening in October to promote awareness of RICS to local students, which will include a presentation on different surveying roles in order to promote careers in the property, land and built environment sectors. 

John Houghton MRICS
RICS matrics Marches Chair
e john.houghton2@jacobs.com

This summer played host to a range of great events which included a summer BBQ, Pub Golf, a golf day and of course the Paul Tanner 5-a-side trophy.

Looking ahead for the next few months, we have a classy black tie cocktail night in October and November marking our charity month – where we will attempt to break as many World Records as possible! We will then wrap up the year with a Christmas themed beer bus. Keep a look out for tickets as they will sell fast! There will also be an informal networking event organised on a monthly basis – more to come.

We are also setting up a student mentoring system this year – so if you are keen to mentor a student please get in contact. For those of you who are about to sit your APC, we are setting up a buddy system so that you can connect and study together. 

Remember that you can get involved with RICS matrics whether you are a student member, or if you have been qualified for up to 10 years. Please remember to update us with your contact details so we can keep you in the loop.

Mike Needham MRICS
RICS matrics Birmingham Chair
e Mike.Needham@eu.jll.com

I am sure you will agree that 2011 is flying by, as we begin to see some positive signs that the local construction market is showing signs of recovery, albeit very slowly!
 
With regards to the Local Association, we have continued our work in establishing a local RICS matrics Group, and we expect this group to become active within the area from the autumn onwards.

In June, we had a very good turnout for the tour of the new Severn Trent building in Coventry. The feedback received was very positive and everyone that did make it along thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were really impressed with the facility that has been constructed within the city.

We are also finalising details of our Coventry and Warwickshire seminar, which unfortunately had to be put back to the autumn, so we anticipate publishing details of this event in the next few weeks. Please look out for this, as we would really appreciate your support in making it a success.

Finally, if anyone would like to get in touch, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ian Frankton BSc (Hons) MRICS FFB
Coventry and Warwickshire Local Association Chair
t +44 (0)1926 334 750
e ianfrankton@franktonhill.co.uk

By the time you read this report, summer will be a distant memory and like me you will be looking towards Christmas!

Between now and then the BLA has a host of events planned and these are complimented by a range of new CPD events being offered locally by the RICS. Having attended a number of these CPD events myself, I can certainly recommend them.

Details of all these events are communicated via email – so please do read rather than hitting the delete button. They are also well publicised on the West Midlands events pages.

In this report, I also wanted to highlight the problems graduates are currently facing trying to enter the surveying profession. As an employer myself I know times are hard, but I would like to appeal to anyone who can help offer work experience or a placement to any newly qualified graduates to do so otherwise we, as a profession, are at risk of losing them.

Finally, can I repeat my usual invitation to anyone who wants to get more involved in the activities of the BLA, to please get in touch with me.

Tim Beresford MRICS
Birmingham Local Association Chair
t +44 (0)121 710 1333
e tim.beresford@davislangdon.com

A warm welcome to the new West Midlands Surveyor. In my fifth report as West Midlands Regional Chair I am conscious of the impact of a rapidly changing world economic landscape with global debt arrangements, especially surrounding Europe, creating a less than stable future.

In this continuing volatile global market please take the time to review the financial security of the ultimate owners of your clients and not just the face of the customer you can see, as this prudence might save you considerable time and effort.

Turing closer to home, I urge you to make time to read the UK government’s report examining key UK market sectors aimed at challenging the face of professional and business services through “2020 a vision for growth”. This shows forethought and intent to recognise the professions and service sector as one of the main continuing strengths of the UK going forward.

The West Midlands Board is mindful of how it can play its part in informing this thinking and work towards shaping the outcome over the next 12 to 18 months.  Indeed I took part in a Professional Institute Networks WM lunch hosting the RICS member and MP Mark Prisk, Minister for Business and Enterprise, in July where the thoughts and opinions of a range of groups was listened to.

I hope that you have found time to consider how you can help support LionHeart who continue to work on behalf of members and former members in the regions - part of the surveying “Big Society”.

I would love to hear from you, especially if it’s to help you find a way of getting more involved with RICS activities.

Martin Perks FRICS
RICS West Midlands Regional Chair
+44 (0)121 237 4250
martin.perks@franklinandrews.com

Localism and LEPs are now seemingly part of the landscape with LEP boards in place and work streams being identified. The Black Country LEP has planning as a key strand with its first task identified being a Planning Pledge Charter to define the process and relationship between all parties involved in the planning applications process. RICS is represented on this and the Charter went to the LEP board in late June. Certain underpinning processes, checklists etc have yet to be developed and all sides will need to ‘buy into’ the defined way of working but the ultimate aim is to have planning as an enabler rather than an inhibitor of economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Localism Bill is still going through Parliament and we have yet, in early July, to see the National Planning Policy Framework. These two together will shape the way that Localism and the Big Society develop. 

RICS has supported a Regional Growth Fund (RGF) bid from Black Country LEP. Addressing supply and demand in domestic retrofitting, this bid offers the opportunity to create real lasting jobs, building a skills base for a market that will have expanding opportunities for the foreseeable future whilst also helping to tackle the very real and pressing issue of reducing carbon emissions and enabling a greener more sustainable living environment. Skills and technologies gained should be transferable across the entire sector, whilst economic benefit will not only be jobs created and profits from technologies and production but also in helping lift large numbers of people from actual and potential fuel poverty, setting an example and benchmark for future activities of this nature.

Great news for Plymouth as it has been recently nominated to host the UK round of the prestigious America's Cup yacht race in mid September. This should provide a boost for the local economy which was also recently accepted as part of an LEP bid covering Devon, Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth.

Economic success, development and regeneration are inextricably linked. RICS Local Association members are keen to get involved helping to raise the profile of the RICS whilst contributing to making the most of the celebrations and their impact.

To contribute ideas or get involved please contact Debbie Tyler-Davis dtyler-davis@rics.org

Whilst the majority of our firms continue to experience `interesting times` in the local market, RICS matrics North Staffs has continued to run a busy programme of successful events and is pleased to confirm a continued growth in membership.

As part of our recent charity challenge, ten members from the RICS matrics North Staffs gave up on the chance of a weekend lie in and strapped on their walking boots to take part in a charity walk to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Fortunately the weather held out as the group covered 12 miles of hilly terrain through Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire with a brief pit stop at the Cat and Fiddle. The total sponsorship raised was £755.82 which was presented to Liz Pearce from the Douglas Macmillan by members Ed Kennerley and Sarah Plant.

Our New Members evening in January was held at Blue Chilli in Newcastle-under-Lyme and gave new members a chance to learn more about our meetings, social and fund raising events. The event was a resounding success with a further six new members from the local area joining the group.

The popular RICS matrics North Staffs 5-a-side tournament is also being planned to take place in May. Any firms interested in submitting a team should contact the event organiser David Ashley (d.ashley@pooledick.co.uk) to register.

RICS matrics North Staffs meets on the first Thursday of every month and anyone wishing to come along will be given a warm and friendly welcome.

Chris Hodson

RICS matrics North Staffordshire Chair
t +44 (0)1782 260 222
e chrish@louis-taylor.co.uk