Restructure and let us do our job, pleads Byng

RICS QS and construction faculty chairman Michael Byng has dismissed claims of internal squabbling in the institution, stressing his faculty is putting forward constructive proposals to restructure the body.

In a detailed statement sent to QS News this week, Byng responded strongly to claims by future RICS president David Tuffin that QS members were moaning and not offering positive proposals for the institution.

Byng said he had invited both Tuffin and incoming president Graham Chase to meet with his faculty's executive to hear what they were putting forward.

He said: "We are not complaining nor are we withdrawing or refusing to take part in the RICS." Byng added that senior RICS members such as Tuffin "appear to be unaware of the work we are doing" and this was proof of "woefully poor communication" between the RICS faculties and the International Governing Council.

In his statement, Byng called for a streamlined organisational structure at the RICS which would mean his faculty was central to offering services to members. "The intent of this proposal is to devolve the responsibility for professional development from corporate RICS to the faculties, to which, in turn, the support staff of the RICS will directly report," Byng stated.

Byng drew a football analogy, saying the faculty should adopt a "Lampardesque role" in the institution, offering:

• Education at all levels through the regions and national associations to all levels of membersn Guiding members on the implementation of professional tools to meet the public's need

We are not complaining nor are we withdrawing or refusing to take part in the RICS

Michael Byng

• Developing RICS influence through best practice in areas where the institution does not have a major role

His statement listed nine major projects that the QS and construction faculty was working on, involving measurement, PFI and a global whole life cost model.

Byng's statement said such work would create global standards for the profession, address the current worldwide shortage of quality people in the profession and the uncompetitive position of the UK industry in Europe.

He said: "We are taking the faculty back to the centre of the institution, a federal institution, as I said we would last September. That senior members are ignorant of the progress we are making supports our concerns."

Byng also sent best wishes in his statement to governing council member Jeremy Hackett, who successfully underwent heart surgery late last month.

For the full statement issued to QS News by Byng, visit www.qsnews.co.uk