Final AGMs and Branch Updates


a success online Te final two Branch Updates and AGMs were successfully held online in May and June, after lockdown again prevented physical meetings taking place. Te Aberdeen Branch Update


MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston


electricians, both now and for the next generation.” The SJIB and Unite are among the organisations supporting SELECT’s #BackTheBrick campaign, which has received significant support from MPs, MSPs and major organisations. In May, Liberal-Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton and SNP MP Alan Brown added their names to the SELECT Wall of Support, following in the footsteps of


 SELECT has welcomed the UK Government’s further postponement of the planned VAT reverse charge scheme. HMRC announced in


June that the scheme would be delayed until 1 March 2021 after SELECT joined other UK trade bodies calling


the 32 MSPs who vowed to support the campaign in November 2019. The issue has already been debated in the Scottish Parliament, with an Electricians Working Group convened to explore the challenges of ensuring the safety of electrical installations and protecting consumers. Details of the consultation and


how to take part will be revealed by SELECT soon.


for a postponement. Alan Wilson, SELECT Managing Director, said: “A further six-month delay will at least give SELECT Member businesses the breathing space they need to recover from the lockdown and alter their systems and processes.”


check compliance in these areas. Te use of certificates of construction would also have significant value at this time where there is a need and requirement to actively manage the number of people on site to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. “As electrical, drainage, heating and


plumbing work can be certified by qualified building professionals, their increased use will reduce the need for building standards inspection visits.” Dave Forrester, Director of Technical


Director of Finance


and Resources John McGhee added: “Te UK Government is to be congratulated for having the foresight to push the changes into next year, by which time we hope some semblance of normal business will have been restored.”


Services at SELECT, said: “I welcome this statement from the Minister and hope it helps to raise awareness of the benefits certification provide towards achieving those objectives.” Building standards verification services are


key to ensuring that construction can return in Scotland and be able efficiently to deliver new buildings and improved facilities across different sectors. SELECT has joined with other certification


scheme providers to work with the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division


and AGM was held via Zoom on 27 May, with Stewart Anderson confirmed as chair, Eric Rae as vice-chair and Alick Smith as third representative. At the virtual Glasgow meeting


on 15 June, David Harris was elected as chair, Kenny Berrie vice-chair and David Smith and Ian Young third and fourth representatives respectively. During both meetings, SELECT


staff also answered questions on a range of topics as Members discussed the pandemic, lockdown and the return to work. Te meetings followed similar


online sessions for the Tayside and Dumfries and Galloway branches in May. Plans are now in place to host the autumn Branch Updates in the same way, with dates to be announced soon.


Resilience Group to address short, medium and long-term issues created by the coronavirus outbreak. It has also released an animation which focuses on the benefits of certification to help guide firms through the easing of the lockdown process.


Certification special: Pages 22-25


CABLEtalk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 11


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