Hot Topics

Question 1

Impact of the Grenfell tower disaster?

Answer 1

• RICS published Guidance note ‘Cladding for Surveyors 1st Edition March 2021’
• ACM cladding in use was thought to contain combustible materials that contributed towards the spread of fire across the external elevation of the building.
• First Safety Act 2021 was introduced.

Question 2

what was the Levitt Report?

Answer 2

About:

• The Levitt Report was commissioned by the RICS following a Treasury management audit in 2018.
• Prior to the Audit the RICS had to extend its overdraft facility by circa £3m due to inaccurate cashflow
  forecasting.
• Highlighted an internal power struggle due to its two board structure made up of a Management Board and Executive Board.

Outcomes were:

• The RICS Governing Council are to be briefed by the Management Board as opposed to a single CEO.
• The RICS Governing Council are to oversee executive management bonuses.

Question 3

What was agreed at COP26?

Answer 3

• Explicit plan to reduce use of coal which is responsible for 40% of annual CO2 emissions.
• Commitment to ‘phase down’ rather than ‘phase out’ coal after a late intervention by China and India.
• Pledge to significantly increase money to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change and make the switch to clean energy.

Question 4

What does the RICS complaints Handling document set out?

Answer 4

This document discusses:

• Importance of terms of engagement
• Understanding the requirements of PII policy
• Actions when receiving a complaint
• Record keeping