APS has increased its sector-wide engagement to better support members in developing and maintaining professional competence. Each week, we’ll share an update from APS HQ so you can see the breadth of work being carried out for your benefit.

What’s been happening?

• Last Monday, 5^th October, provided an international start to the week with APS CEO Sofie Hooper meeting with ISHCCO’s President Evangelitsa Tsoulofta and Matej Mihic. The International Safety and Health Construction Coordinators Organisation is the international umbrella organisation promoting high standards in health and safety across the construction industry. Sofie was introduced to the team and the work it is currently carrying out at European level. Discussion also touched on the preparations for the International Congress in March in Croatia, which APS will attend and is due to present at.
• The APS Finance Committee met on Tuesday, where the draft budget for 2027 was discussed in preparation for its approval at the Board next month.
• APS President, Mark Snelling, and APS CEO, Sofie Hooper, attended the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists’ Awards’ at the invitation of the organisation’s CEO and President. In addition to celebrating the award-winning achievements for both individuals and organisations in the sector, it was heartwarming to see the pipeline of talent coming through the ranks. The awards also provided a great opportunity to catch up with many colleagues from across the sector, discussing some of the opportunities and challenges coming our way.
• APS Chair Sam Allwinkle represented APS at the official BE-ST launch event for the Scottish Government Building Standards Division Compliance Plan Approach (CPA) /Compliance Plan Manager (CPA) industry guidance that is now going to be operated in Scotland on a voluntary basis until it becomes legislation. The CPA/CPM is part of the Scottish policy response to the Grenfell tragedy. APS is also part of various industry change groups set up to support the development of the CPA and driving up awareness. Read more here.
• On Thursday, Sofie attended the NIMA & Katapult Connected Places workshop on Digital Whole Life. It was a great opportunity for APS to represent its agenda on project safety, and to engage with key government stakeholders on information management and how to better support digital whole life data. The event aimed to bring key communities across the UK around information management infrastructure performance, AI and data together to start building a shared vision of a neutral DWL network of communities. Through this engagement and understanding better where the key priorities and opportunities lie, APS can better plan its support for members across the information management, data and AI agenda.
• On Friday, APS met with a representative from the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS). This was an introductory meeting to introduce each other’s organisations and see where common interests lie and how we can work together to advance safety on site.
• Also on Friday, the CIC health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee Working Group on Working on Projects for Domestic Clients met under the chairmanship of Philip Baker.  The Working group has convened to help iron out some of the discrepancies in interpretation around the CDM domestic clients’ piece. A revised draft paper is to be circulated and tabled at the next main CIC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee Meeting on 28 October. HSE are to be consulted on a couple of unresolved anomalies in relation to work on projects for this type of client. APS are represented on the Working Group as well as the main Committee.

Recent updates that members should know about

New Chief Construction and Scientific Advisor

MHCLG announced the appointment of the Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser, Sergio Cavalaro, formerly professor of infrastructure systems at Loughborough University. The Chief Construction Advisor is to provide expert, independent advice on building safety and regulatory reform, on a three year term.

Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser appointed to improve building safety - GOV.UK

Welsh Government publishes Building Regulations Circular of revised standards, rules and codes for the building control profession (WGC 008/2026)

The Circular details the substantive changes made to the codes, standards and rules for the building control profession. The changes include updated references in the Building Inspector Competence Framework to the new dutyholder roles, including around accountability and competence descriptions to align existing text with building regulations that came into force on 1^st July. The circular can be found here: Revised versions of the standards, rules and codes for the building control profession published (WGC 008/2026) [HTML] | GOV.WALES

Building Safety Levy comes into force in England

Since 1 October, developers must pay a tax on new residential development building control applications, subject to certain exemptions. The tax is collected by local authorities with building control responsibilities, and funds cladding remediation for social sector buildings and orphan schemes where the original developer cannot be identified or held accountable. You can read more about the levy here: Building Safety Levy - Making Buildings Safer

Building Safety Regulator (England) publishes their latest transparency data

The data published by the Building Safety Regulator shows that overall gateway 2 application approvals are rising to 87%, with more than 20,471 units clearing the gateway. The full set of data can be found here: Building control approval application data - Making Buildings Safer

What’s coming up this week? (12-18 October 2026)

Meetings that APS is involved in this week include:

• CPB/1 – BSI Committee for competence in the Built Environment

We’ll continue to keep members updated on key developments and engagement across the sector through the APS weekly alert, the APS news page and across social media channels where appropriate.

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