LABC, 3 rd Floor, 66 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL t: f: e:

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1 LABC, 3 rd Floor, 66 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL t: f: e: info@labc.co.uk To all building control departments and building control surveyors, LABC has been working with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to understand how building control departments and surveyors can help to support the scheme in its aim to improve the image of construction. Together, we have produced the attached guide which will inform you about the scheme, how it operates, and the many benefits of registration, not only for the public and those most affected by construction activity, but also for those who work for construction sites and companies, as well as the benefits to the environment. I would ask all building control departments/surveyors to read this guide and to better understand the huge benefits that can be gained by registering all construction activity, whether a small short term project, or a large multi-million pound development. To find out more you can call , and ask to speak to their Business Development Manager, or visit If you would like any materials, brochures or flyers to distribute, their administration office will be glad to help. As LABC members please therefore do all you can to promote and encourage registration with the Considerate Constructors Scheme as doing so will give huge benefits not only to those registered but also to those impacted on by any construction activity. Yours faithfully Paul Everall CBE Chief Executive, LABC LABC is a trading name of District Surveyors Association Ltd. Company No registered office as shown. District Surveyors Association Ltd is a company controlled by local authorities. A list of the controlling local authorities is available for inspection at the company s registered office.

2 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership General advice note Improving the image of construction

3 Foreword Local authority building control departments and surveyors can play a key role in promoting the Considerate Constructors Scheme in their capacity as key influencers for construction work and as local champions, by promoting and encouraging greater use of the scheme. This general advice note sets out the key components of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. It focuses on the role local authority building control departments can play in supporting and promoting the scheme in addition to fulfilling their statutory duties. This will help ensure success through constructors (all involved in a construction project) improving care for the environment and the quality of life for people living and working near construction sites. LABC is delighted to be working with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to help raise standards of construction across the UK. We believe all construction activity should be registered with the scheme, and building control departments and individual surveyors should promote and recommend registration wherever possible. The benefits of registration are plain to see and if everyone in the industry works harder to improve standards on sites across the UK, the environment, the workforce and everyone affected by the works will be better off for it. Paul Everall CBE, Chief Executive, LABC 02 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

4 Foreword The Considerate Constructors Scheme is shaping UK construction into a more considerate industry, one that engages with its community, supports and develops its workforce, and better protects the environment. Construction companies and sites registered with the scheme strive to minimise any negative impact that construction activity may have on neighbourhoods, while leaving behind long-lasting benefits that enhance communities. This is important. The requirement for organisations to register with an appropriate good practice scheme is a feature of the standards the government has set out for construction procurement. I commend the scheme for the good work it has done for our industry, and I support their ongoing efforts in improving the image of construction. Michael Fallon, Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 03 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

5 Introduction Started in 1997, the Considerate Constructors Scheme is a non-profit-making, independent organisation founded by the construction industry to improve its image. The scheme is neither grant-maintained, nor funded by the government, and is solely financed by its registrations. The Construction Industry Board launched the Considerate Constructors Scheme as a voluntary national initiative aimed at improving the image of construction through better management and presentation of its sites. The word constructors is used to embrace all members of the construction team including clients, architects, sub-contractors and anyone else in the supply chain. It aims to raise the standards of construction management, community relations, site welfare facilities and environmental awareness above statutory requirements. Those constructors who volunteer to register must commit to a five-point Code of Considerate Practice: Care about Appearance Respect the Community Protect the Environment Secure everyone s Safety Value their Workforce The scheme has run successfully for over 15 years and has now registered over 75,000 sites and conducted over 100,000 site visits. The scheme has also registered over 2,000 smaller construction companies and can register and monitor trade, sub-contractors and industry suppliers. As well as having a number of Associate Members large construction companies that have made a commitment to register all of their construction activity with the scheme there are also a number of Client Partners who have made a similar commitment for any construction work they initiate, and Scheme Supporters, like minded industry organisations that work with the scheme to help improve standards across the industry. 04 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

6 Use of the scheme Construction companies can register on a site-by-site basis, with the registration lasting as long as the project, or as a company where they become members of the scheme paying an annual fee. Site registration Any work that could be construed by the general public as construction can be registered as a site, providing it has a duration of six weeks or more. Shorter duration projects can be considered, but contractors must contact the scheme at least one month prior to the commencement of the project to discuss. Company registration Companies with an annual turnover of up to 3.5m can register, with registration covering all their sites, regardless of site duration. Companies with an annual turnover over 3.5m can also register, with registration covering only their sites with a duration of less than six weeks. Trade contractors, suppliers and those working within the supply chain can also enjoy the benefits of company registration and many larger contractors are now asking their sub-contractors to register with the scheme to ensure they show the same levels of consideration in their activities. 05 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

7 The need for a Considerate Constructors Scheme Residents, communities and businesses affected by construction activity may complain to local authority officers and councillors about any inconsiderate practices (for example, noise, dust, mud on roads and footpaths, obstructions and damage to property). The basic reasons for these problems may be thoughtlessness, commercial and financial pressures, misguided attitudes and a lack of proper training for operatives. Residents and businesses may not know who to speak to about issues relating to specific construction sites. Contractors sometimes seem unclear of their obligations in law, or, on occasions, deliberately flout the law in the knowledge that legal action can take a considerable time, with only small fines levied sometimes even when a prosecution is successful. Contractors can also lack understanding of the ways in which to allay local concerns and the need to tackle problems promptly. Current local authority contact with constructors is likely to be mainly through a mixture of informal, site-based advice and responses to specific public complaints. Environmental health officers visit construction sites in their areas and provide guidance on issues such as noise, air pollution and working hours. Staff with enforcement responsibilities in other departments such as highways and planning might only visit a site in response to a complaint. Whilst building control surveyors will visit all construction sites for which they are supervising the implementation of the Building Regulations, they have no role in enforcing good site management or considerate working practices. Hard-pressed enforcement staff need to take action to prevent or correct unsatisfactory working practices which affect the environment and the safety and convenience of residents and road users, but it is preferable for contractors to proactively manage their site through the scheme to prevent problems in the first place. A coordinated and well publicised scheme, which encourages contractors to be considerate and benefits the local authority and community through: Involving an independent organisation with monitors drawn from senior levels of the construction industry 06 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

8 Reducing the number of complaints received about construction sites or companies Reducing the cost of enforcement or releasing officer time for other work Improving the quality of the environment around construction sites and hence the confidence of local residents and businesses in the local authority s overall effectiveness in environmental management. 07 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

9 The scheme s Code of Considerate Practice The scheme requires registered sites and companies to adhere to a five-point Code of Considerate Practice. Considerate constructors seek to improve the image of the construction industry by striving to promote and achieve best practice under the code. Care about Appearance Constructors should ensure sites appear professional and well managed. Ensuring that the external appearance of sites enhances the image of the industry Being organised, clean and tidy Enhancing the appearance of facilities, stored materials, vehicles and plant Raising the image of the workforce by their appearance. Respect the Community Constructors should give utmost consideration to their impact on neighbours and the public. Informing, respecting and showing courtesy to those affected by the work Minimising the impact of deliveries, parking and work on the public highway Contributing to and supporting the local community and economy Working to create a positive and enduring impression, and promoting the code. Protect the Environment Constructors should protect and enhance the environment. Identifying, managing and promoting environmental issues Seeking sustainable solutions, and minimising waste, the carbon footprint and resources 08 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

10 Minimising the impact of vibration, and air, light and noise pollution Protecting the ecology, the landscape, wildlife, vegetation and water courses. Secure everyone s Safety Constructors should attain the highest levels of safety performance. Having systems that care for the safety of the public, visitors and the workforce Minimising security risks to neighbours Having initiatives for continuous safety improvement Embedding attitudes and behaviours that enhance safety performance. Value their Workforce Constructors should provide a supportive and caring working environment. Providing a workplace where everyone is respected, treated fairly, encouraged and supported Identifying personal development needs and promoting training Caring for the health and wellbeing of the workforce Providing and maintaining high standards of welfare. 09 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

11 The Considerate Constructors Scheme Benefits The scheme aims to achieve the following: Minimise any disturbance or negative impact (for example, in terms of noise, dust and inconvenience) sometimes caused by construction sites to the immediate neighbourhood, the wider community and the environment. Deal with complaints from the neighbours and general public through the displaying of the scheme s 0800 number where members of the public can raise any concerns or queries. The scheme s Public Liaison Officer will then liaise with the contractor to act as a mediator so that these issues are quickly resolved. Eradicate offensive behaviour and language from construction sites. Encourage best practice on sites through advice and guidance from the monitor and through the publication of examples of innovative activities on the scheme s website. Recognise and reward constructor commitment to raise standards of site management, safety, welfare and environmental awareness beyond statutory duties through annual National Site and Company Awards. Guidance for sites and companies Guidance for sites and companies on how to comply with the fundamental requirements of the scheme, as well as examples of good practice, is detailed within the scheme s brochures and on the website available at Monitoring All sites and companies registered with the scheme are visited by one of the scheme s experienced monitors who will assess their performance against the scheme s Code of Considerate Practice, using a checklist which consists of a number of compliance questions, i.e. the things that we expect 10 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

12 every site and company to be doing as a minimum, and beyond compliance questions which push sites and companies to perform to even higher standards. For example, in the Respecting the Community section of the checklist, the first compliance questions ask; Are all those affected by the work identified, notified and kept informed and shown courtesy and respect? The scheme s monitor will expect to see that the site or company has provided information to those who will be affected by the works before work even commences and at regular intervals through the life of the project. They will expect to see company contact information clearly displayed on the perimeter of the site as well as evidence of a robust complaints procedure. Finally, they will expect to see that the site has identified any special or sensitive issues such as proximity to a local school or local traffic issues. Looking beyond compliance, another of the questions asks; What is being done to support and contribute to the local community including promoting local employment? Here, the monitor will be looking at the company s corporate social responsibility policy and what efforts the site has made to proactively work with the local community, perhaps through visits to local schools or by working with local groups or charities. Following each visit, the scheme monitor will produce a written report, which outlines what they saw at the time of the visit and is based on their discussions with the site manager. A score will be awarded which reflects how that site is performing against the scheme s expectations. Each year, the highest scoring sites will be recognised at a series of National Site Awards ceremonies held across the UK to recognise and reward the most considerate constructors. The scheme also looks to share best practice by capturing what the very best sites are doing and sharing this with all contractors via brochures and the scheme s website. 11 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

13 When sites are unacceptable First and foremost, sites are accountable to the public through posters displayed on the perimeter of the site giving the site manager s name and telephone number or company contact details, and the public can raise concerns and request action where appropriate. If the site fails to take adequate action to address the concern, these posters also display the scheme s freephone number and they have a dedicated public liaison officer who deals with complaints from members of the public. Where complaints are received into the scheme s office, the public liaison officer will liaise directly with the site to resolve the issue, acting as a mediator between the complainant and the registered site. If that fails to generate the necessary action or if the site/company is in serious breach of the Code of Considerate Practice, the scheme s administration office will often ask one of the scheme s monitors to visit the site to investigate further and provide guidance on how to improve performance. Only when all efforts to resolve non-compliance with the code have failed will a site/company be removed from the scheme and the client informed. In over 60,000 registrations, very few sites have failed to comply with the scheme s advice and had their registrations cancelled. Considerate Constructors Scheme branding All sites must clearly display Considerate Constructors Scheme posters providing a project description, names and local telephone numbers of site management, and the scheme s administration office, web address and telephone number. For company registration, all companies registered with the scheme must display a registration sticker or magnet on any vehicle used on the public highway. Posters should also be displayed on sites, where appropriate. 12 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

14 The role of building control Local authority building control and planning departments can help support and promote the scheme in any or all of the following ways: Recommending specifying the scheme on all construction projects There will be construction sites and companies in operation through council contracts and contractors on the council s prescribed list of tenderers. The following clause is recommended for inclusion in contract preliminaries: Allow for registering the site or company, and any trade contractors, with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, including the appropriate fee, and for using best endeavours to comply with the scheme s Code of Considerate Practice. However, building control departments and surveyors will also be involved with other, non local-authority work, and should look to encourage registration wherever possible. Promoting the scheme as local champion Through contact with planning applicants/developers and contractors. Leaflets can be supplied by the scheme. Posters for site registration and posters, stickers and magnets for company registration are supplied direct to participating contractors by the scheme. By promoting the scheme through local launch meetings with local and regional industry representatives. By promoting the scheme through Local Authority National Type Approval Confederation arrangements. 13 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

15 Conclusions The Considerate Constructors Scheme offers local authorities the opportunity to achieve local objectives by supporting and taking part in this national initiative. The overall aim is to achieve a sensible and reasonable standard of consideration on all construction sites and by all companies working in the construction industry. The key elements are the voluntary nature of the scheme and the monitoring by industry professionals and the focus on site and company standards and local relations. The main aim is not to penalise failure but to promote and encourage the best working practices. 14 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

16 Scheme contacts The scheme can be contacted using the details provided at the back of this document. The website provides details of both site and company registration as well as information for clients and prospective monitors. 15 Building control and the construction industry working in partnership

17 Considerate Constructors Scheme PO Box 75, Ware, SG12 0YX Telephone Registered office: Considerate Constructors Scheme Ltd 26 Store Street, London, WC1 7BT Company registration number: England LABC Third Floor 66 South Lambeth Road London SW8 1RL Telephone: Published by Considerate Constructors Scheme in conjunction with LABC, April 2014 Improving the image of construction