Restructuring of the Construction Leadership Council

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) announced the restructure of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the end of the Council’s Delivery Group and discontinuation of the role of chief construction advisor (CCA).

The CIC expressed disappointment at the discontinuation of the role of chief construction advisor. 

CIC chief executive Graham Watts said: “The industry once had a dedicated minister of state; but, over time, ministerial interaction with construction has greatly diminished. 

“Some eight years ago, the appointment of a chief construction officer was recommended by the Trade and Industry Select Committee and, in due course, that recommendation was accepted by government.

“I don’t see any circumstances that have changed to negate the need for the role”.

A smaller CLC will be created to include individuals instead of leaders from representative bodies except in the case of the Strategic Forum for Construction whereby a seat has been offered for a representative on the condition that they are from the manufacturing sector. 

The new council focus will be on ‘work streams’ which will be headed by council members but supported and funded by industry. 

Harry Rich, the RIBA chief executive said of the new CLC: “The Construction 2025 agenda has played a major part in helping the UK Construction sector rise to the challenge of getting Britain building. 

“If we are to tackle the housing crisis and deliver the infrastructure needed, it is vital that government works with the whole sector, including architects and other professional services’ providers, who coordinate, enable and drive this work.

“The loss of the Chief Construction Adviser role at this crucial time will leave a significant gap in terms of drawing together the skills of the sector. 

“The industry needs to look at how the work streams announced will be coordinated to avoid silos developing in the new approach. It’s therefore vital that the work of the new Construction Leadership Council is informed by the whole of the industry and that the professional services sector has strong representation.”

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is a representative forum of 46 professional organisations who create and maintain the built environment.  

Image by Till Krech