Trade federations under spotlight in CITB survival vote

Grant Prior 8 years ago
Share

Construction trade federations will play a pivotal role in whether the CITB is allowed to keep raising levy cash from contractors.

The skills body is facing a crunch vote later this year on industry consensus on its levy raising powers.

But critics of the system claim too much power is in the hands of trade bodies who may not be consulting widely with their members.

Questions have also been asked about a possible conflict of interests for CITB chairman James Wates who is also co-chairman of Build UK.

The Enquirer can reveal exactly how the vote will work.

The CITB needs to win more than 50% of the construction vote in terms of numbers of levy payers and value of the levy paid.

In terms of value of levy paid the trade federations make up 59% of the vote and 35% in terms of numbers.

The voting balance in each case will be made up of individual firms.

CITB policy director Steve Radley said an independent surveying company would talk to 6,000 individual contractors.

He said: “We will be scrutinising the trade federations over how they consult with their members and will be holding one-to-one meetings with them to discuss that.

“We need to get out there and talk to the industry and that is what we will be doing.

“I don’t see any conflict with James Wates because we will be talking with Build UK members.”

Audit and CIS Contract provider Hudson Contract is sceptical about the whole voting process.

Director Ian Anfield said: “The federations can claim a block vote for the companies they represent if more than half of the members in each of the federations is consulted and confirms consent.

“In previous years the federations have not done this properly but given consent anyway and CITB never questioned how those decisions were reached.”

David Frise, Chief Executive Officer of trade body FIS said: “The federations hold a very important role in the CITB consensus debate.

“Our members are naturally reticent to talk to CITB, a body that many consider to be a tax collector.

“FIS intends to consult widely with its membership, providing them with the facts on both sides of the argument.”

Latest news

JRL close to deal on sale of stake to Far Eastern buyer

Equity sale plan to strengthen balance sheet and improve liquidity
14 hours ago

ISG collapse brings down glazing contractor

All staff made redundant at Vitrine Systems Limited
6 hours ago

Cost of HS2 bat shed hits £100m

Construction costs revealed for Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure
7 hours ago

Groundworks firm Corbyn files administration notice

Court notice lodged by £33m-turnover contractor
14 hours ago

Vistry takes another £50m hit on build cost blunders

Second profit warning but problems contained in one division
13 hours ago

Watkin Jones go-ahead for Leeds co-living project

Firm will convert former office block Headrow House into 230 homes.
14 hours ago

United Utilities hunts for ground investigation specialists

£170m five-year framework deal out to tender
13 hours ago

WSP names new chief for UK and Ireland

Paul Reilly promoted to UK president after just over two years at consultant
14 hours ago

£125m cash injection for infrastructure at Barking Riverside

Home England funded works to boost 20,000-home development in east London
1 day ago

Subcontractors wanted across the North West

Register now to meet major buyers at Manchester event
13 hours ago

Management buyout at joinery specialist TMJ Interiors

Founder James Taylor hands over reins to directors
1 day ago

Guinness Partnership starts race for £1bn housing deal

Housing association to renew preferred firms for 15-year housing retrofit programme
2 days ago

Rockwool plans new factory to ramp up output

Stone wool maker plans second factory in Midlands
2 days ago

McAleer & Rushe wins London City 670-room student job

Dominus confirms builder for 65 Holborn Viaduct
2 days ago

Electrician caught abusing covid loans

Middlesbrough spark subject to seven years of stringent bankruptcy restrictions
2 days ago

Wates hires Bouygues chief as MD for residential arm

Phillippa Prongue will replace Helen Bunch who retires
2 days ago

Civils powers on but house building falters

Buyers report "solid output growth" despite decline from record September
2 days ago

Multiplex tops October contracts league

£300m Glasgow Uni win tops big new orders
3 days ago

Key industry rebar supplier loses fight to stop factory closure

Kent rebar facility supplying 30% of UK rebar set to close
3 days ago

Vital Energi/Hemiko JV to build £1bn heat network for Westminster

Heat captured from the River Thames, Tube and sewers to warm Parliament
3 days ago

Plans in for Birmingham 300-bed student scheme

China Quarter stepped project will rise to 15 storeys
3 days ago

United Living looking to continue expansion

Record results as infrastructure and property spending flows
3 days ago

Paralysed builder stranded on floor for six hours after fall

Court hears how contractor failed to properly plan housing job
3 days ago

Network Rail scales back Liverpool Street station scheme

Architect changed and developer Sellar dropped as £1.5bn original plan scrapped
4 days ago

Muse JVs with pension fund insurer to build 3,000 homes

New Habiko business will build affordable low carbon, rental homes
4 days ago

£1.3bn revamp plan for South London shopping centre

Landsec plans 1,700 homes at Lewisham shopping complex site
4 days ago

Network Plus names new chief executive

Kevin Fowlie steps up to succeed founder Dan Holland
4 days ago

TanRo lands latest Clowes business park

Groundworks due to start in new year at 31-acre Harrier Park site
4 days ago

New consultant buys M&E specialist TACE

Contollo Group has ambitious growth plans over next five years
4 days ago

Skanska signs £197m deal for Mayfair offices job

South Molton job consists of two big office buildings
5 days ago

Contractor services