APS Weekly Update – (W/C 30 March)
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 happened last week?
• Sofie Hooper, DCEO participated in the first ICC webinar on the forthcoming guidance document on organisations managing competence, and its complementary industry publication through the Industry Task and Finish Group which APS chairs. APS will share the link when watch back becomes available.
• APS attended two CIC meetings this week, the 2050 Group and the Communications Group. The Communications Group explored the growing role of TikTok in professional and industry communications, discussing how the platform can help reach wider and more diverse audiences. Meanwhile, the 2050 Group focused on developing communications that better engage younger professionals, with an emphasis on fresh formats and messages that resonate with the next generation.
Recent updates members should know about
ICC consults on draft informed client principles
The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has opened a consultation on its draft Principles for Informed Clients, marking an important step in strengthening competence and accountability across the built environment. APS CEO Andrew Leslie is contributing directly to this work as part of the client guidance development group. APS will be submitting a formal response, and we encourage all members to review the proposals and share their views too. Find out more here.
Review of Approved Document B – Fire Safety
On Wednesday 25th March, the Building Safety Regulator and MHCLG opened a consultation on the proposed changes to Approved Document B (ADB), which is statutory guidance on the Building Regulations applicable in England.
The changes proposed to ADB are to:
- undertake small but important clarifications and technical changes to the guidance within Approved Document B.
- consolidate guidance for designing building work on existing buildings.
- introduce a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used.
- revise and update guidance on external wall systems and balconies and review the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls.
- recommend the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18m and clarify the guidance for non-residential buildings.
- update terminology on 'sheltered housing', introducing the new term 'specialised housing' in its place and include provisions for alarm coverage in these building types to be a minimum of Category LD1.
- introduce updated guidance on roofs, including new provisions for the incorporation of photovoltaic (PV) panels.
- increase in the fire resistance rating of open-sided car parks.
The consultation closes on 17th June, and responses can be submitted here.
MPs urge Government to protect quality in plan to build 1.5 million homes
A new cross party report issued by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment, Proud to call home, warns that the Government must prioritise quality—not just volume as it works toward its target of 1.5 million new homes in England. The APPG calls for stronger design standards, better oversight of developments, more consistent inspections, and improved consumer protection. The report stresses that this is a “once in a generation opportunity” to ensure new homes and neighbourhoods are well designed, sustainable and places people are truly proud to live. A copy of the report can be found here.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards – approved documents published
MHCLG has published the final statutory instruments and approved documents that make up the Future Homes and Buildings Standards.
The Building Circular 01/2026 letter details the publication of The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations) and the publication of new statutory guidance in:
• Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Volume 1: Dwellings
• Approved Document L (Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings
• Approved Document F (Ventilation) Volume 1: Dwellings.
The Circular provides an overview of the main changes in the regulations, which come into force on 24 March 2027, 12 months from publication. Higher-risk building work has a later start date of 24 September 2027 for certain provisions.
This is the culmination of a process that began with the 2019 Future Homes Standard consultation and has been through multiple iterations, including the 2021 Part L uplift and the 2023 consultation on the full standard.
MHCLG Consultation - Proportionality in building control: categorisation of higher-risk building work Consultation
This consultation sets out changes to how Category A and Category B building work is defined, so that documentation requirements better reflect the scale and complexity of the work.
The proposals aim to maintain safety standards while reducing unnecessary administrative burden for applicants and helping the Building Safety Regulator focus on higher risk and more complex cases.
The consultation also asks for feedback on supporting guidance and whether certain types of low-risk work could be suitable for future Competent Person Schemes.
The consultation can be found at: Proportionality in building control: categorisation of higher-risk building work - GOV.UK.
The deadline for submission is 28th May.
MHCLG Consultation - Fire risk assessors profession Consultation
MHCLG published their consultation on the regulation of the fire risk profession.
This consultation covers the following areas:
• the future development of the fire risk assessor profession
• the powers needed to regulate the fire risk assessor profession, and
• implementation approaches for competency requirements in the fire risk assessor profession
The consultation can be found at: Fire risk assessors profession - GOV.UK, the deadline for submitting responses is 18th June.
What’s coming up this week? (30 March – 3 April)
Meetings APS is involved in this week include:
• Andrew Leslie attending CIC Governance Task & Finish Group
• APS attending CIC Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Committee
• Andrew Leslie attending CIC Economic & Policy Forum
• Office closed Friday 2 April, reopening on Tuesday 7 April for Easter Break
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.