ECA News
2011 ECA circulars Here we list all ECA circulars issued since the beginning of the year
FEBRUARY 2011 n Circular 31 2011 – Government opens up contracts to small business Date published online: 16/02/2011 Category: Tendering and contract administration n Circular 30 2011 – New installer energy saving and carbon reduction checklist Date published online: 10/02/2011 Category: Environment n Circular 29 2011 – Increases in rates of statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay Date published online: 10/02/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 28 2011 – HSE Scissor Lift Alert highlights fatal accidents
Date published online: 10/02/2011 Category: Health & Safety n Circular 27 2011 – Alteration to review date for unpaid ECA subscriptions Date published online: 10/02/2011 Category: ECA Service Updates n Circular 26 2011 – Increase in the price of copper Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Finance matters n Circular 25 2011 – Definition of prime cost of daywork carried out under an electrical contract – Third Edition
Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Tendering and contract administration n Circular 24 2011 – Update on the Bribery Act 2010
Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Tendering and contract administration n Circular 23 2011 – Removal of default retirement age
Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 22 2011 – Last chance to enter the ECA Edmundson Awards
Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Training n Circular 21 2011 – MCS Made Easy course and website
Date published online: 08/02/2011 Category: Training n Circular 20 2011 – Buying and selling a business Date published online: 03/02/2011 Category: Buying and selling a business n Circular 19 2011 – Latest JIB Labour Report provides industry insights Date published online: 03/02/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 18 2011 – HSE consults on changes to accident reporting regulations Date published online: 03/02/2011 Category: Health & Safety
JANUARY 2011 n Circular 17 2011 – Brighton & Hove branch seeks a new branch secretary Date published online: 27/01/2011 Category: South East region n Circular 16 2011 – JIB and Edmundson partner up to equip apprentices
12 ECA Today March 2011
Date published online: 17/01/2011 Category: Technical n Circular 15 2011 – ECA is trialling dedicated energy efficiency and renewables helpline Date published online: 12/01/2011 Category: Environment n Circular 14 2011 – New affinity partnership with Vehicles for Business (VFB) Date published online: 12/01/2011 Category: ECA service updates n Circular 13 2011 – ECA appoints a dedicated Energy Solutions Adviser
Date published online: 12/01/2011 Category: Environment n Circular 12 2011 – ECA employee relations guides
Date published online: 12/01/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 11 2011 – New ‘MCS made easy’ course Date published online: 11/01/2011 Category: Training n Circular 10 2011 – £5000 ECA training fund Date published online: 11/01/2011 Category: Training n Circular 9 2011 – CIBSE membership and ECA funding
Date published online: 11/01/2011 Category: Training n Circular 8 2011 – New 17th Edition online learning solution
Date published online: 11/01/2011 Category: Training n Circular 7 2011 – ECA working with the Institute for Sustainability to deliver free business support for London-based SMEs
Date published online: 11/01/11 Category: Environment n Circular 6 2011 – Claiming interest and compensation on bad payers Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Finance Matters n Circular 5 2011 – ECA to address HazardEx Conference on wireless systems and hazardous areas Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Technical n Circular 4 2011 – Christmas 2011 and New Year 2012 holidays
Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 3 2011 – Increase in limits to statutory payments
Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Employee Relations n Circular 2 2011 – New BS 7671 key factsheet: earthing of mobile or transportable buildings with integral generators fitted
Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Technical n Circular 1 2011 – Smart metering roll-out Date published online: 10/01/2011 Category: Environment
VIEW FROM THE LOBBY
by Carol Wrench, PR and public affairs manager
Uncertainty seems to be the order of the day. The effects of the Comprehensive Spending Review continue to dominate. We are still reeling from the first round of cuts and bracing ourselves for whatever comes next. While the government has outlined its general plans, we are still in the dark when it comes to much of the detail. Take the government’s strides towards localism – what exactly does this mean for electrical contracting and the wider construction industry? How will the ‘one in, one out’ regulatory rule be applied? The Green Deal is another area of uncertainty, as we wait for the finer details to emerge. This general air of uncertainty extends to talk of changes to the Feed-in Tariff scheme. If we are to achieve our goals under the UK carbon reduction targets, consumers and suppliers need to be confident that what they sign up for today will still exist tomorrow. With this in mind, we are also seeking to engage with the Department of Energy and Climate Change to make sure that government understands that, because much of the technology that will help achieve the goals of the Carbon Reduction Commitment – and, indeed, the Green Deal – is electrical, electrical contractors have a frontline role to play in the delivery of emissions savings under both schemes.
Maintaining standards We also need to safeguard standards and ensure that we have enough qualified electricians to install this technology safely and correctly. The skills agenda continues to resonate with government and, whilst funding through the Train to Gain programme has been slashed, we are pleased to see increased funding for adult apprenticeships. While this is a definite step in the right direction, for it to work companies need to be properly incentivised
Electrical contractors have a frontline role to play in the delivery of emissions savings
to invest their energy and money into what is a time-consuming and costly exercise. One such incentive could be tying training into public sector contracts. In January, the ECA hosted a roundtable event with MP Catherine McKinnell, who recently raised this issue in parliament. Among those taking part in the debate were the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Local Government Association (LGA). Lastly, reflecting this mood of
uncertainty is the forthcoming government review of the Building Regulations. Of note, the government wants to make it easier for firms to understand and comply with Part L – a move which we certainly applaud. In addition, the government will also review the way the Competent Persons Schemes operate under Part P. We’ll be participating in this, putting forward the view that rigourous standards are needed for those wishing to self-certify work, while suggesting ideas that could make the process less burdensome for firms with good records.
n Carol Wrench is PR and public affairs manager for the ECA. For more information on the ECA’s engagement strategy and details of meetings and consultations with government ministers, MPs, opposition leaders and leading civil servants, visit
www.eca.co.uk/lobbying
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