FMB NEWS
FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS MEMBERS STAND READY AND WILLING TO BE PART OF THE DELIVERY PROCESS ADDRESSING NORTHERN IRELAND’S HOUSING SHORTAGE…
NI Executive’s Housing Strategy - Can it be made a reality?
“We are all aware of the crisis that we face in housing. A large and growing waiting list for social homes. Busting increases in the private rented sector. Low quality and poor energy efficiency. Record numbers in temporary accommodation. Too many barriers when it comes to matters like planning and infrastructure. And an increasing sense of despair for many who
L-R: Steven Nickell, Nickell & Richmond, Mark Gribben, Setanta Construction, Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities, and Gavin McGuire, FMB.
simply want a home to call their own. “Fixing this is at the top of my agenda, because these issues impact on our ability to deal with some of the challenges we face today – poverty, education, deprivation, health and giving people the opportunity and ability to progress in life.” With those opening words, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA launched the NI Executive’s Housing Strategy in December. Certainly, as citizens of the country and at the coalface of delivering housing, FMB staff and members can identify with the issues that have been highlighted to him. With demand for new private and social housing outstripping supply, what changes can we see to readdress this? As housing delivery numbers are sitting at generational lows here, FMB is supportive of the ambition to meet increased targets of new. When FMB had the chance to meet with the Minister recently, our discussions turned to how that vision transfers to delivery. Industry wants to be supportive partners in helping reach and hopefully exceed the desired targets. We need to build the right safe and warm homes in the
WHAT IS THE NEXT STAGE FOR THIS STRATEGY? FMB’s members were assured by officials that action plans are being worked on across departments and will be live for scrutiny soon. We look forward to seeing these as soon as possible. There is no doubt the devil will be in the detail of those plans, and FMB will continue to scrutinise that content and keep communicating on behalf of its members to Government. Despite the challenges, we want to see beyond those and view them as opportunities to re-energise our home building market here. Providing jobs, safe and affordable homes for many are actions for both industry and primarily public representatives to take off a page and make reality.
right places for the right cost. For this to happen, it will take more than good will and requires considerable cross- departmental support and change. FMB members Steven Nickell of Nickell & Richmond and Mark Gribben of Setanta Construction, along with NI Director Gavin McGuire, outlined a number of challenges faced by SME contractors wanting to build and develop. WHICH KEY ISSUES WERE RAISED? • What collaboration is happening between the departments of Communities and Infrastructure to address the crippling water connections issues? • What does NI Electricity’s capacity, with increased demands on the grid for new homes to connect, look like? • How can we see more accountability and vast improvement for the shocking delays in the planning system? • What priorities has the Minister addressed with the Department for the Economy, to make sure we are attracting the right competent skilled labour force for the step up in new homes delivery?
FMB members stand ready and willing to be part of that delivery process.
“We need to build the right safe and warm homes in the right places for the right cost.”
To find out more about the benefits of becoming an FMB member, speak to its membership team on +44 (0)3303 337777, email membership@fmb.org.uk or visit www.fmb.org.uk
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