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Question 1

Are you aware of any guidance that applies to RICS Members when using social media?

Answer 1

• RICS introduced the Guidance Note – Use of Social Media – Guidance Note for Members 2021.
• Same standards as stipulated in the RICS Rules of Conduct

Question 2

Please explain your understanding of the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?

Answer 2

• Designed to improve diversity and inclusion within the business
• Requires employers to improve against six principles:
  o Leadership and vision
  o Recruitment
  o Staff development
  o Staff retention
  o Staff engagement
  o Continuous improvement

Question 3

Please explain your understanding of the Birchard Review?

Answer 3

• Independent review commissioned by the RICS governing board in 2021 into the purpose, governance and strategy of the RICS.
• Commissioned following the Levitt Review and aimed to create a new sense of purpose and direction for the RICS.
• Advised on various recommendations such as:
  o Creation of a diversity and inclusion panel
  o Public interest panel set up to advise the governing council

Question 4

Are you aware of any updates to the construction industry following the recent election?

Answer 4

• Following the election the Kings speech outlined the governments legislative programme, including the introduction of 39 new Bills.
• Such as included;
  o Planning and infrastructure bill to aid reform of planning and deliver long-term improvements to the planning system.
  o English devolution bill to help empower decisions to be made at a local level on things like planning, transport, and employment.

Question 5

Following the Grenfell disaster, are you aware of any guidance the RICS has published?

Answer 5

• Yes, the RICS has published the Guidance Note ‘Cladding for Surveyors’ 1st ed. 2021.
• The document seeks to improve surveyors knowledge of external wall cladding systems when working on multi-storey buildings.

Question 6

What is ACM cladding and why is it significant?

Answer 6

• Aluminium composite material
• This is the cladding use on the external façade of Grenfell and was though to contain the combustible material that contribute to the spread of the fire.
• Material is now BANNED.

Question 7

What is the RICS doing to improve diversity and inclusion?

Answer 7

The RICS has setup ‘Diversity and Inclusion leadership’ which is knowledge hub allowing the RICS to share ideas on how and why it is important.

Includes initiatives such as;
- Internation Womans day
- Pride 2024

Question 8

What are your views on the pro’s and con’s of hybrid working?

Answer 8

Advantages
- Improved work-life balance
- Greater ability to focus
- Cost savings on comuting and office space

Disadvantages
- Loss of social connection
- Reduced collaboration
- Productivity can be dependent on the workplace.

Question 9

What is the RICS Futures Report?

Answer 9

First launched in 2015 and highlighted key trends such as urbanisation and the climate crisis.

The 2020 report includes;
- Construction produces the second largest amount of data however it is estimated that 95% is wasted.
- Rapid increase in use of drones within the industry and the issues that come with this.

Question 10

Are you aware of any RICS Guidance that applies to drones?

Answer 10

‘Drones: application and compliance for surveyors’

Provides advice on the different types of drones and the current industry legislation.

Question 11

Explain your understanding of the Part L updates in 2022.

Answer 11

The changes lower the amount of carbon emissions permitted in design such as the improvement the u-values:
- Pitched roof - 0.18 to 0.16
- Windows - 1.6 to 1.2