Environmental issues top of the agenda at 2007 annual Conference

29th October 2007

Sustainable construction, waste management and market forecasting were top of the agenda for delegates at the 2007 Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors (FPDC) Annual Conference which took place in Barcelona from 19th – 21st October.

The business session was opened by Professor Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group (SEGC), who reminded members of the key issues identified at the facilitated workshop run as part of the 2006 conference business session; sustainability with emphasis on training and environmental issues, and integrated supply teams. Mr Klein went on to give delegates an overview of changes that had taken place in the sector. In particular he addressed the issue of supply chain management and spoke of legislative change and industry developments from the last 12 months that may have an impact on collaborative working. The key developments include the Government’s Fair Payment Charter which has been launched, requiring signatures from the whole delivery team before appointment, all payments made within 30 days with further evidence of fair payment practice available together with the introduction of project bank accounts (PBA’s). Progress and take-up of the Charter and PBA’s are to be monitored by the Office of Government and Commerce.

Mr Klein concluded with information on the new CDM regulations which came into force in April 2007 which, amongst other things, now includes criteria for assessing a company’s health and safety competence. There was also a summary of the Construction Act Review.

Delegates also heard Máren Baldauf, an economist from the Construction Products Association, address the topic of UK construction prospects over the next five years. Her presentation evaluated the economic landscape both on home and foreign soil to see what effect the current economic status is having on the construction industry and commented in some detail on the Government’s spending plans in a wide range of sectors, all with direct impact on the plastering and drywall market.

The business session concluded with a presentation on plasterboard waste management within the context of the Government’s broader objective of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2020. Dave Marsh from government waste agency, WRAP, referred to DEFRA’s ten product roadmaps under development, including plasterboard, having been identified as a major construction material and already a leading area for sustainability. There was also an update on the proposed introduction of Site Waste Management Plans for large projects. Mr Marsh gave an insight into how WRAP was co-ordinating these issues for the sector and then focussed on the specific commitments outlined in the draft Contractor and Developer Agreement, and other useful tools under development to assist with minimising waste and maximising recycling at site level.