APS Weekly Update – Kicking off 2026

2026 has started with real momentum at APS HQ. Work is well underway finalising plans for the year ahead. A full programme of activity is taking shape, including plans for an in-person APS conference currently being developed for September, more on that to follow soon.

What’s been happening?

• Asbestos consultation engagement: APS has contributed to the HSE’s asbestos consultation, including proposed legislative changes and guidance updates relating to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

• CLC Portfolio 4: Sofie attended the CLC Portfolio 4 meeting, contributing to discussions on key sector priorities, including what constitutes ‘as built’ information, the way forward on internal remediation issues and their funding (or lack thereof) and the latest government announcements around the Single Building Safety Regulator.

• Industry Task & Finish Group: Sofie chaired the latest Industry Task and Finish Group meeting, reinforcing APS’s leadership in developing practical industry guidance. The group is working on guidance on the management of competence in organisations due for publication in late March.

• CLC guidance Gateway 2 to Gateway 3: Sofie met with Jonathan Zokay from Clarion Housing Group to discuss recent developments around golden thread guidance and the role of Principal Designers in the development of information throughout the gateway process.

Recent updates members should know about

Before Christmas, Government released various publications, amongst them, a series of research papers that will feed into the ongoing review of Approved Document B. A public consultation on ADB is expected shortly. The research papers published reviewed whether fire safety guidance was adequate in relation to the topic. Recommendations for improvements of the guidance are also included. Topics covered were:

  • Specialised housing and care homes
  • Means of escape for disabled people
  • Balconies, spandrels and laminated glass
  • Smoke and toxicity
  • Trigger thresholds
  • Construction technologies, design and usage
  • Structural fire resistance
  • Fire spread over pitched roofs with solar panels

APS published updates on the other publications before Christmas in the news section of the website. They covered:

What’s coming up this week? (12- 18 January)

• The HQ team will be attending two CIC meetings: the 2050 Group and the CIC Communications Group.

• The next APS Academy Temporary Works course will take place.

• Sofie will attend the APS Task & Finish Group Leaders Meeting on CDM competence.

We’ll continue to keep members updated on key developments and engagement across the industry as plans for 2026 take shape.

If you would like to contribute or share expertise on issues that matter to you, please contact APS HQ at info@aps.org.uk.