Gordon Best, MPANI

FROM THE DESK OF: GORDON BEST, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MPANI

GROWING LACK OF CONFIDENCE Gordon Best, MPANI CAUSED BY POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS

At the time of writing we are in the midst of a general election campaign that undoubtedly will determine the direction and outcome of Brexit. Locally we are also expecting the Secretary of State to announce an Assembly Election if the political parties do not agree the re-establishment of the Executive and Assembly. No one now doubts the absolute necessity to get some form of ministerial decision making back in Northern Ireland, whether that be local Ministers or Direct Rule Ministers.

Feedback from MPANI Members and other Construction Group colleagues certainly indicates that the markets are cooling and there is a growing lack of confidence looking forward. Whether we are teetering on the edge of a technical recession or not, it is perplexing to hear Government on the one hand proclaim that it will become more ‘can-do’ and will inspire an ‘infrastructure revolution’, whilst on the other canning major energy projects and converting dither into delay on HS2. This impacts on NI as we would enjoy substantial Barnet consequentials as a result of increased infrastructure spend in GB. Given that the supply of materials into the GB Construction market is so important for our Northern Ireland Members any further deferral on such a major infrastructure project as HS2, which is so dependent on the supply of huge volumes of aggregates, asphalt and concrete, is a double kick in the teeth for our sector both in GB and NI. National Infrastructure Budget forecasts which had already slipped now have to be torn up, and forward investment in new and improved plant capacity written off over less business. In an era where industry is screaming for more certainty, it serves no purpose for Government to re-announce previous spending commitments, pushing out headline grabbing numbers, whilst delaying start dates and downplaying the timescale during which the spending may, or may not, take place. NI desperately needs to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of our Roads, energy, water and sewerage infrastructure. We also need more and better housing.

Another Threat

A huge threat to our economy is the current under capacity of our water and sewerage infrastructure. We all know the importance of sustainable funding for water and sewerage services for Northern Ireland. Due to historic underfunding, many of our Waste Water Treatment Works are at full capacity. This means NI Water can’t accept connections for new developments, which will be severely curtailed; inadequate funding will also lead to inadequate environmental protections. No drains means no cranes –to remain fit for purpose, NI Water calculate that the sum Northern Ireland needs is £2.5bn, including £1bn to address wastewater, flooding and drainage problems in Belfast alone. This obviously has potentially severe consequences for material suppliers and the wider construction industry. As a result of this NICG has met NI Water and it will be the main discussion item on the agenda for the All Party Group on Construction. To help us lobby we have asked NI Water, CEO Sara Venning for the following information: • A list of projects that have been impacted, to date, by a shortage of capacity in the waste water treatment system • A list of areas in which developments can no longer proceed unless private alternative arrangements for waste water are put in place • A list of areas which will fall into the above category (over the next number of years) if current investment levels are sustained • Other than domestic water charging or an increase in direct public funding, what options if any are there to meet NI water’s funding requirements? For more information go to https://www.niwater.com/ ourstrategy/

UK Concrete Group

MPA has announced the setting up of a UK Concrete Group. In simple terms this new group, under MPA and the Concrete Centre, will take the lead in “shouting about” the nontechnical facts about concrete and take the battle to Timber and Steel. It is my intention, given the limited resources we have here in MPANI, to be fully engaged with this new initiative and to avail of any resources and messages to come from it. The ‘UK Concrete’ project is looking at the effectiveness of our current advocacy: Technical, Political, Public and Innovation, and exploring if a new body recommended to be called “UK Concrete” can play a key role in amplifying the voice of concrete.

Proposal outline

UK Concrete will be the vehicle for advocacy and the voice of the UK concrete sector, mandated to create proactive dialogue that makes a difference in the market. It will be: • a credible and authoritative brand in its own right ‘standing up’ for the concrete sector • a strategic influencer on key political and public stakeholders • responsible for ‘taking the fight’ to timber and steel It will: • actively leverage media engagement proactively and reactively (opportunistic) • engage with stakeholders using multiple communication channels • coordinate MPA resources to improve the political and public profile of concrete • be responsible for developing and executing the MPA’s strategic plan for concrete

Good Neighbours

A new scheme to help MPA and MPANI members to engage and build trust with local communities will soon be launched. It is increasingly important to be seen to be “A Good Neighbour” going above and beyond to meet the expectations of local people. “Building trust with your local community can improve understanding and perceptions of the industry and help operators develop and maintain a good reputation that could be important for the future operation and expansion of your site.” Let’s hope the next time I write this message that we have good news in terms of Brexit and a re-established Executive and Assembly May I wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas and success over the coming months and into 2020.