Lobbying

Through its contacts with ministers, MPs and senior civil servants, and its judicious use of professional parliamentary consultants, B&ES is able to make its voice heard in the "corridors of power" of Westminster and Whitehall, as well as of Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Brussels.
 
Some elements of the Association's representational functions are carried out via its membership of the Specialist Engineering Contractors' (SEC) Group, which represents the interests of construction-related specialist contractors.
 
A review has recently been undertaken of the broad range of representational issues and initiatives being progressed by the Association – the overall objective being to develop a more structured approach to the monitoring and reporting of activities, thus maximising their impact and effectiveness.
 
With effect from the June 2011 edition, B&ES Issues document reflects the new approach by providing a summary of the “next steps” the Association will be taking in order to move matters forward.
 
UK/Westminster
The Association continues to focus significant attention on the low levels of compliance with UK environmental legislation, and the serious extent to which energy efficiency targets are being jeopardised by lack of enforcement.
 
From correspondence with Andrew Stunell MP, the appropriate minister, B&ES has learned that the Department for Communities and Local Government is in the process of reviewing the available evidence on non-compliance, with a view to  identifying measures that might be taken by Government and its “industry partners” to alleviate the current situation – and that the Association’s proposals will be considered as part of this undertaking.
 
Scotland
Following achievement by the Scottish National Party (SNP) of an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament at the general election on Thursday 5 May, plans are in hand for a programme of engagement with the new Government.
 
The programme will comprise direct representational activity by B&ES Scotland, as well as initiatives taken forward via the Scottish Confederation of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors (CASEC), of which the Association is an active member – and which itself enjoys membership of the pan-industry umbrella body Construction Scotland.
 
Wales
Following a referendum in March 2011 and the consequent granting to the Welsh Assembly of enhanced legislative powers, B&ES Wales is, in collaboration with SEC Group, progressing a number of issues relating to procurement, pre-qualification and payment with the Welsh Assembly Government.

In the light of these and other current developments, the SEC Group board has established a Welsh Committee to provide a focus for action on a range of issues relating to public sector procurement in Wales.
 
Northern Ireland
Political and parliamentary affairs pertaining to Northern Ireland are addressed by the Association on an ad hoc basis, principally via its active involvement in the work of the Confederation of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors (CASEC)
Northern Ireland.
 
Europe
The Communications and Public Affairs Department provides ongoing support to chief executive and deputy chief executive in relation to B&ES membership of GCI-UICP, the European umbrella body for the hvacr and plumbing sectors.
 
In recent months, the Association has been participating in a “smart e-building” project organised by the CEETB, which represents the interests of all construction engineering specialists across Europe.  Funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, the project brings together a consortium of nine European partners in order to promote energy efficiency in existing buildings, chiefly via its portal at www.takeyourenergyback.eu.