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Project Compass Newsletter December 2017

The Project Compass Newsletter December 2017 highlights some of our activities  over the past 18 months, the publications that have been output, a procurement trends report and our anticipated future activities. Information on our exciting programme and the range of new activities we plan may be of particular interest to all our supporters and site…

Heart of the matter: Why architects need a key role in the construction process

(This article was originally published in Planning & Building Control Today). To find an architect lamenting the erosion of the profession’s role within the construction process may elicit from many little more than crocodile tears, and to others, smack of a futile act of self-preservation when faced with challenging financial targets, shrinking capital budgets and…

Good riddance to the Garden Bridge

Good riddance to the Garden Bridge: an eye-watering waste of public funds Walter Menteth article originally published 11 May, 2017 in     With one swift blow, London Mayor Sadiq Khan confounded plans to construct a leafy walkway above the River Thames. By refusing to guarantee further public funds, the mayor leaves the Garden Bridge project with…

Passing the buck: The new construction crisis

HUGE PROBLEMS WITH QUALITY IN UK CONSTRUCTION IS APPARENT. ACTION MUST FOLLOW. (Walter Menteth article originally publish on LinkedIn pulse March 19, 2017) Over recent months significant construction issues have been reported that highlight major deficiencies in UK procurement culture. The Orchard Village Estate, Lakanal House in Southwark, The Edinburgh PFI schools programme, Catalyst Housings Portobello Square development, Solomon’s Passage in Southwark, and Bovis’s recent…

The highlights (and a few low points) of 2016’s design competitions

(This article originally appeared on Dec. 16, 2017 on the Architects’ Journal website, HERE.) Those with their noses pressed firmly to the grindstone of the public sector will know that 2016 presented an increasingly exasperating array of pungent procedures and cack-handed contracts. Despite evidence of good practice emerging in isolated pockets across the UK, many…

Flying by the seat of their pants

  (Walter Menteth article originally published September 13, 2016 on LinkedIn Pulse) There have been significant recent revelations about the Thames Garden Bridge in London and the Garden Bridge Trusts structure and funding. These reveal the Trusts near exclusive reliance on public funding, which reputedly amounts to £30m from Transport for London, £30m from central government, along…

Brexit Briefing for Architects Aug. 31, 2017

Project Compass has published a Brexit Briefing for Architects outlining the likely impact of the European referendum on public procurement in the UK. We will endeavour to update you when clarification becomes available as to how international trade in professional services will be impacted by any new trade agreements. Read the briefing here. Update: As of…

The crescendo of Thames Garden Bridge opposition call for an independent inquiry

Following Project Compass’s detailed submission of critical evidence into the procurement of design services for the Thames Garden Bridge to the GLA Oversight Committee 17/9/15, and the subsequent Project Compass Thames Garden Bridge Procurement Report 02/16 examining both procurements of design and project management/engineering services, a significant number of other further fundamental concerns have been brought to light.…

#Remain in Europe

A purpose in aligning EU procurement regulations has been to ensure our closest markets are freely accessible for design services.  The EU has constructively contributed to ensure the ongoing reform of procurement is made better, fairer, more accessible and can stimulate growth. Project Compass research evidence highlights many of the worst procurement practices uniquely emanate from…

Project Compass Newsletter May 2016

The Project Compass Newsletter May 2016 reports our outputs, activities and uptake, and includes some summary trends analysis along with our anticipated programme.