A DEFRA news release has announced a team to 'deliver better, environmentally friendlier buildings'. Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency and Victor Benjamin, Deputy Chairman of English Partnerships, will co-chair the new Sustainable Buildings Task Group. The aim is to identify specific, cost-effective, improvements in the quality and environmental performance of buildings which industry can deliver in both the short and long term, together with further actions that Government could take to facilitate faster progress. The Task Group will look at four areas where the Government sees a need to significantly improve the quality of buildings: Water; Energy; Timber and other construction materials; Waste reduction Among the mechanisms to achieve this to be considered are: The role of Government incentives for innovation The promotion of long term planning for dynamic improvement The promotion and adoption of best practice, including potential for the use of voluntary agreements The best means of sharing experience between designers, builders and utilities. The Group will consider issues of refurbishment and renewal as well as new build and matters relating to any regulatory impact assessment that could be required. They will look at cost assumptions and all cost implications as well as maintenance issues in considering sustainability of buildings over their entire lifecycle. The Secretaries of State have invited the following to serve on the Task Group: Michael Ankers, Chief Executive, The Construction Products Association Julian Barwick , Joint Managing Director, Development Securities Sheila Button, Board Member, The Housing Corporation John Calcutt, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson Ian Coull, Chairman Designate, The Sustainable Construction Task Force Robert Napier, Chief Executive, WWF-UK Paul Noon, Co-Chairman, Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee Jennie Price, Chief Executive, The Waste and Resources Action Programme Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive, The Energy Saving Trust Peter Studdart, Head of Environment and Planning, Cambridge City Council Lynne Sullivan, Sustainability Director, Broadway Malyan Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK Bryan Woodley, UK Timber Frame Association A representative of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Department of Trade and Industry, The Office of Government Commerce and HM Treasury will also be represented on the Task Group at senior official level. For the full text of the news release please go to ODPM website
