A Vibrant and Sustainable Sector RICS Members, Policy, Influencing and Press

1. A Vibrant and Sustainable Sector RICS Members, Policy, Influencing and Press Tim Wainwright – Parliamentary Affairs Officer

2. RICS UK External Affairs

3. The RICS UK External Affairs Virtuous Circle

4. Real Life Action • Briefing Ministers, civil servants and MPs • Consultation submissions • Using the media to gain influence • Social Media • Party Conference • Professional Groups and Policy Panels

5. What has this achieved? Recognition of standards • RICS New Rules of Measurement Launch • RICS Public Sector Asset Management Guidelines • RICS guidance embedded in Pubco Framework • RICS VIPs and Guidance Notes recognised by Government as key to the success of the Green Deal in the Behaviour Change and Energy Use paper Thought Leadership • RICS member acts as Special Adviser to a Select Committee inquiry • Private briefings for Select Committee inquiries • Private briefings to senior officials on RICS research

6. What difference do members make? Members expressed concern via local offices and online that RICS was not influencing Government to develop a sustainable residential market • RICS undertook a residential policy consultation making clear and practical recommendations to Government • RICS welcomes comments on the document at residentialpolicy@rics.org Member communication, particularly via linkedin raised particular issues being experienced by SME members, particularly in the construction sector • RICS is undertaking a consultation with members in construction SMEs to make recommendations to Government Highlighted in RICS Budget Submission • RICS is a member of the Government’s LEAN Procurement Group • RICS members met with Iain Wright MP, Shadow Construction Minister

7. What difference do members make? • RICS wants to hear from members how the NPPF is operating in practice • RICS will write to Greg Clark MP in the Autumn highlighting the issues you have raised and the solutions RICS can offer Government • Contribute by emailing us with your experiences. • RICS gave members the opportunity to explain their practical experience to civil servants writing neighbourhood planning regulations, accompanying the Localism Act • RICS member contribution praised by Government – a follow up event planned • Members consistently highlight the need to reduce VAT to 5% on repair and maintainance to improve stock and deliver business • RICS is an active member of the cross-sector Cut The VAT coalition • Peter Aldous MP wrote to George Osborne on RICS’ behalf ahead of the Budget • Recommendation of RICS Budget submission • RICS working cross sector to gather evidence to attempt to reverse the removal of 0% VAT on alterations in the Budget • Members expressed contact that changes in the Energy Bill introducing minimum standards by 2018 were unclear and would create market uncertainty • RICS wrote to the Minister expressing these concerns • RICS will be contributing views when the exemptions are consulted on in 2012

8. What can RICS do for you? • Your understanding of the marketplace is critical in driving RICS UK External Affairs priorities • What are the barriers to getting involved in shaping RICS UK External Affairs priorities

9. Discussion • What issues are you experiencing in your business? • What needs to change? (policy, legislation, guidance?) • What are your top three issues? • What’s the benefit for your business and the land, property and construction sector? • What will success in these areas look like?

10. What next? • RICS will communicate Action Points to this group and the UK membership following these meetings • RICS will communicate progress via UK News, Professional Groups News, linkedin, twitter • Keep in touch!

11. Contact details • Mary Thorogood – Parliamentary Affairs Manager • 0207 334 3831 • mthorogood@rics.org • Tim Wainwright – Parliamentary Affairs Officer • 0207 695 1608 • twainwright@rics.org COL