Your FMB Scotland Board’s final meeting of 2023 was held in Glasgow City Chambers. Here’s a short summary for all members, of what was discussed.
- The CITB’s Scotland Director Ian Hughes talked members through the CITB’s work and support delivered for FMB members in Scotland. 296 of the FMB’s Scotland members have been supported in 2023 regarding grants and qualifications. A lively discussion followed on skills and training matters, with members quizzing Ian on the CITB’s future plans.
- Scotland President Alastair Raitt of HM Raitt & Sons Ltd welcomed FMB’s National President Chris Carr to Glasgow. Chris provided an overview of what he wants to focus on as President. Key areas being to continue the FMB’s focus on standards, as well as improving membership segmentation and data: so the FMB has greater knowledge on what our members do.
- FMB’s CEO Brian Berry confirmed that there will be improvements made to the FMB’s Find a Builder service with a new matching service launching early in 2024. Brian also noted that during 2024 he and the FMB’s Board of Directors will work on a refreshed FMB strategy with the current strategy Building for Success taking the FMB up to 2025.
- Trading conditions and materials. With members of the Scotland Board being based across Scotland, with Stornoway, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Stirling and Lerwick being some locations, it was pleasing to hear that for the most part, members are reporting robust workloads. No significant issues were shared about the affordability or the availability of materials.
- Scotland Director Gordon Nelson provided an update on his activities which included various meetings with Scottish Government Ministers FMB members and how and why he is on the Construction Leadership Forum’s Transformation Board. Gordon thanked FMB members for sharing their insights to support his lobbying activities.
- Payment issues and timelines in construction: Scotland members participated in an online industry-wide survey run by the CICV forum of federations on payment issues. There were 78 responses with 80% reporting payment problems. All present agreed that the FMB should continue to collaborate with other trade bodies as our members are not alone in struggling with late payments, payment reductions and unresolved disputes.
- With a UK general election expected in 2024, members shared their key policy concerns with the introduction of a licensing system for builders being top of the list. Brian Berry confirmed that the FMB will be producing a policy manifesto outlining our key asks for what we want the new Government to achieve for our members.
What's next?
The Scotland Board will next meet for an in-person meeting in Edinburgh on 6 March.
If you have any questions about this article and the role of the FMB Scotland Board, please contact Gordon Nelson.
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
