Clients must lead on competence, says government construction adviser
Summary
The outgoing interim chief construction adviser has called on clients and funders to take primary responsibility for competence and safety across the built environment. Her final report argues that while stronger standards and smarter regulation are important, lasting improvement depends on behaviours, accountability and avoiding cost or programme pressures that undermine building safety.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors are often involved in assessing building condition, risk and compliance, so the emphasis on competence, safety culture and reporting concerns is directly relevant. The article also reinforces that fire and structural risk assessments should consider occupancy and vulnerability, not just building height.
Key points
- Clients and funders are urged to lead on competence and safety from the outset of projects.
- Regulation and professional standards are important, but behaviour and accountability are presented as essential to safety culture.
- Cost and programme pressures should not be allowed to compromise building safety.
- Fire and structural concerns should be reported to CROSS-UK.
- Risk assessments should consider factors such as sleeping accommodation and vulnerable residents, not only building height.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
