Episode Details

Construction Disrupted Episode 115 - Leaky Roofs and Leaky Budgets (13.05.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.

In this episode, we discuss new guidance for competency management, the financial case for transparency in infrastructure, and the ambitious restoration of Blenheim Palace. Let's go!

Built environment competency guidance nears publication

The Industry Task and Finish Group (ITFG) is set to release new guidance on managing competence in the built environment. This guidance aims to help organizations plan, monitor, and evidence competence, putting the Industry Competence Committee’s 15 principles into practice. Formed under the Building Safety Act 2022, the ICC focuses on improving competence, especially for higher-risk buildings.

The guidance, developed collaboratively with over 40 professional bodies, reframes competency as both an individual and organizational responsibility, emphasizing leadership, governance, supervision, procurement, and ongoing development. It’s scalable for small and medium-sized organizations, supporting proportionate arrangements and building safety reforms post-Grenfell.

Here's a link to the PDF Space for the ITFG's: Managing Competence in the Built Environment: An industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles

Transparency in infrastructure needs a business case and this is how to make it

Globally, governments lose a significant portion of infrastructure spending to inefficiency and corruption—up to one-third, according to the IMF. Transparency is more than a governance principle; it’s a tool for improving financial performance.

The CoST Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, with the Government Transparency Institute, has developed a methodology to quantify the financial benefits of transparency, accountability, and participation. Examples include Thailand’s Ministry of Finance saving over £70M in one year and Uganda increasing tender bids sevenfold. The methodology assesses competition, corruption risks, efficiency, prices, and quality, showing that transparency leads to better markets, reduced risks, and improved value for money. Once its financial value is proven, transparency becomes essential for maximizing public investment.

Fixing the roof while the sun is shining: Making Blenheim Palace fit for the next 300 years

Blenheim Palace is undergoing a £12m restoration to repair its roof, stonework, and water-damaged painted ceilings, aiming to withstand a once-in-500-years storm and boost climate resilience.

The project involves meticulous planning to stay on budget and minimize disruption to the palace’s one million annual visitors. Innovative solutions include opening the construction works to public view, retention tanks for rainwater, and laser cleaning for stonework to protect historic lichens.

The restoration reinstates original roof structures, improves gutter and drainage design, and uses reclaimed lead for durability. Fire safety measures are strict, and the paintings are being