East and West Kent

Kent Centre Chairman Introduction

Following the Kent Centre AGM held on 4th May 2010, I was extremely pleased to be elected Chairman. I am looking forward to representing you and Kent CIOB during the next 2 years.
Looking forwards there is a degree of change and uncertainty ahead whilst the Government settles down to business, this will create considerable challenges for us all. There will be some difficult decisions made regarding spending and investment; it seems inevitable that this will impact the whole construction industry and ultimately therefore us, as individuals.
There is further change for example with respect to construction regulatory change. Just this last week new Building Regulations for Conservation of fuel and power, Ventilation and Heat producing appliances, were published. These requirements will come into force on the 1st October this year.
All is not doom and gloom, survival for us all during the next couple of years will mean we will have learnt a few additional tricks and will by implication be stronger as a result.
To help build this strength and to support for change the Kent Centre CIOB CPD subcommittee has expediently put together a varied and geographically inclusive CPD programme commencing 14th September with subjects as diverse as “Canterbury Cathedral - Restoring the past preserving your future,” “Implications for Designers and Builders of change to Building Regulation guidance”, and “The requirements of clients and their expectations.”
Please refer to the Kent Centre area of the CIOB website, a location where details of our events are published and bookings can be made.
Whilst on the subject of CPD, the committee and I welcome and encourage feedback of ideas, via Beverley Lawrence, to allow us to continue to provide meaningful events applicable to you, our members.
This year the Kent Centre Annual Dinner is programmed for 30th September 2010. This prestigious event is being held at Leeds Castle, a great venue which continues to appeal, situated in the middle of Kent close to motorway connections and accommodation. This event will be attended by the incoming CIOB President elect James Wates and his wife. This year’s varied entertainment is provided by Gary Richardson, Radio 4 Sports commentator on a range of sports topics and comedian Sid Dennis, who both come highly recommended. The chosen charity for 2010 is Dorton House School for the Blind located at Seal in Kent. Dorton House is a non maintained specialist nursery, school and college for children who are visually impaired.
This is a good cause so I hope to see you there.            

Kenton May MCIOB, Kent Centre Chairman

6th May 2010

Stuart Hirst MCIOB (pictured right), Chair, and Peter Smith FCIOB  (pictured left), Finance Manager, from the Kent Centre were delighted to present a cheque to Pepenbury Community residents on behalf of the committee and members of the Centre.

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The Annual Kent Construction Professionals' Dinner was held once again in the superb surroundings of the historic Leeds Castle, Maidstone, a former royal palace built in the 12th century and reputed to be one of the most beautifully situated medieval castles in England.

Professor Li Shirong FCIOB (pictured 2nd from left) and Alan Crane CBE FCIOB (pictured right) were the principle guests

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