RICS Public Affairs Blog

Draft Legislative Programme

The Government's Draft Legislative Programme will be announced after Prime Minister's Questions tomorrow. As the name suggests, this sets out the legislative agenda for the next parliamentary session.

Rumours have been circulating about the content of the 'draft Queen's speech', with some papers suggesting the Prime Minister hopes to use this as a means to wrestle back control over policy and fight back against the recent slump in polls.

As usual the PA team will be keeping a close watch and comments will be sent to members/interested parties who have signed up for the public affairs newsletter (you can do this by emailing Penny Wilcock - PWilcock@rics.org).

Watch this space!

RICS CONNECT Available Today!

The latest edition of RICS Connect (previously known as the Public Affairs Brief) will be sent today to all subscribers. The complete rebranding of the newsletter will be unveiled alongside a new template in June which we hope readers will find more user-friendly!

Highlights from this issue include:

• Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers Recommended for National Shortage Occupation List
• RICS meets CLG Team to Discuss Eco-Towns
• The European Parliament and Council formally adopt the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

The newsletter contains information on the work of the public affairs, press, economics, research, policy and regulation policy teams in Brussels, London and other parts of the UK.  It also covers information on market surveys, policy positions and briefings on Government activity. 

Please email Penny Wilcock (PWilcock@rics.org) if you would like to be added to the circulation list.

Who will London elect ?

Today the results will start coming in for the battle for London. Will it be Boris, Ken or Brian who emerges the winner ? Here is the link to the results .

Whatever the outcome RICS is ready to work with the next London Mayor on key property and planning issues that affect the city.  In March, RICS launched its London Manifesto covering the four key RICS policy priorities.

Update: Boris Johnson has been elected Mayor of London, bringing with him Sir Simon Milton who will hold the post of Senior Adviser on Planning.

European quarter facelift

Beginning April the Brussels-Capital Region (one of the three Belgian regions) in partnership with the European Commission and the City of Brussels, launched an urban design competition for the European district.

According to the Commission's press release, the goal is to "define an urban design with a strong symbolic identity, featuring convivial public spaces, giving prioirty to non-motorised mobility and public transport, and providing buildigns of high environmental quality and architectural value."

This plan envisages the office space of the Commission to increase from 170.000 m2 to 400.000 m2, and increase density from an average of 4.5 to 8.0 (floor/ground ratio). Housing should also be introduced (from 0 to 110.000 m2) and retail should be doubled (from 20.000 to 40.000 m2).

RICS is currently organising its Sustainable Urban Regeneration Lecture series at various locations in Brussels. The first lecture, held in March, was about the European quarter and thus highly topical. After the summer break, RICS will present a list of recommendations on sustainable urban regeneration.

It will be very interesting to follow this competition and see if the heart of Europe can be a role model for sustainable urban design.