Policy and Public Affairs

Each year, the NFB focuses on a few key policy platforms.

Sustainability

Building sustainably involves more than just being environmentally friendly. For the smaller builder, the NFB will prove invaluable as a partner when trying to make sense of all issues involved in sustainable construction. Research carried out by the NFB during spring 2008 identified knowledge and skills gaps as well as areas where smaller builders excelled. The research has helped the NFB determine which products and services it should develop to provide the best level of support to its members. The NFB has also assessed its own sustainability as a business and has an action plan that it is implementing across its buildings and with its staff.

The research report, Sustainable Construction, is available by emailing policy@builders.org.uk or by calling 020 7227 4589.

Public sector procurement

With the introduction of longer-term procurement frameworks, the way in which works contracts are tendered is changing. We conducted a scoping survey to investigate the issue from the perspective of our members and the research is available. Future challenges for SMEs include procurement, public and private, in a more competitive environment that is overshadowed by economic uncertainty.

The procurement report, The Impact of Public Sector Procurement on SME Construction Companies, is available by emailing policy@builders.org.uk or by calling 020 7227 4589.

Utilities

Utility connections are cause of the worst operational problems that NFB members face on-site. The NFB ran its utilities survey for the third time in 2008. The results this time around are worse, with 88% of respondents reporting a problem when requesting a connection. The 2008 survey compares it findings to 2006, examines the implications of delays caused by a poor connections service and provides some recommendations.

The report, Utilities Survey 2008, is available by emailing policy@builders.org.uk or by calling 020 7227 4589.

More information on the NFB's activities and views can be found at our website: http://www.builders.org.uk.