Architects Registration UK

- The wider remit : an observation on the claim of former Board chairman Humphrey Lloyd that "Arb only fulfils its statutory role, no more".

- On persons offered appointment to the (1) ARB or (2) its PCC. (April 2010)

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(1) Appointment to the Board by the Privy Council "to represent the interests of users of architectural services and the general public":

The "interests of users of architectural services": for the most part the demand for architectural services comes from public bodies, commercial and industrial enterprises or investors, philanthropists, benefactors and others who are intent on commissioning the building (or renovation) of factories, warehouses, offices, educational establishments, hospitals, housing, places of recreation and entertainment and places for religious and other purposes.

Members of "the general public" clearly have an interest to the extent that the legislation makes it a criminal offence to infringe the restrictions placed upon the freedom of individuals (including qualified architects), and of firms and partnerships, and companies and corporations of all kinds, to use the word "architect".

The Architects Act 1997 (as amended, and subject to further amendment by statutory instrument) requires that:

the Professional Conduct Committee will consist of four of the elected members of the Board* (architects who are registered), three of the government appointed members of the Board (not registered persons), six persons appointed by the Board*, including three registered persons (architects), and three persons nominated by the President of the Law Society; and
the chairman will be elected by the members of the Professional Conduct Committee from among themselves

It also permits a chairman to resign by notice in writing addressed to the Registrar; authorises the removal of a chairman by a majority vote of the other members of the Professional Conduct Committee; and allows the Board to make Rules for the appointment of a person to act as chairman in the event of a vacancy or in such other circumstances as may be prescribed.

In view of (1) above, it will be well that persons accepting appointment to the ARB or its PCC are sufficiently aware that the purpose of the body re-constituted as the ARB under the Architects Act 1997 was somehow misaligned to serve another and narrower purpose under the pretended name of "consumer" protection, in respect of which the Board is practically impotent. A search of the Act (as amended) finds no mention of "consumer" (and "protection" is found only in Schedule 1A - Visiting Architects from Relevant European States).

*Note: For some time, at the instigation of the elected members, so as to avoid the potential conflict of "judging in their own cause", members of the Board have declined to sit on the PCC.

Home		Contents - Composition of the Board - Regulations made by ARCUK - 2 Questions : How does the Architects Registration Board answer inquiries? - The wider remit : an observation on the claim of former Board chairman Humphrey Lloyd that "Arb only fulfils its statutory role, no more". - 2009 election : A majority of candidates support reform. - Status of the Registrar as Registrar and when acting as Returning Officer. - Occasional notes of Board Meetings. - RIBA Report On the Registration and Regulation of Architects by Sir Christopher Ball - ARB and its statutory functions: another judicial precedent (April 2010) - On persons offered appointment to the (1) ARB or (2) its PCC. (April 2010) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Appointment to the Board by the Privy Council "to represent the interests of users of architectural services and the general public": The "interests of users of architectural services": for the most part the demand for architectural services comes from public bodies, commercial and industrial enterprises or investors, philanthropists, benefactors and others who are intent on commissioning the building (or renovation) of factories, warehouses, offices, educational establishments, hospitals, housing, places of recreation and entertainment and places for religious and other purposes. Members of "the general public" clearly have an interest to the extent that the legislation makes it a criminal offence to infringe the restrictions placed upon the freedom of individuals (including qualified architects), and of firms and partnerships, and companies and corporations of all kinds, to use the word "architect". (2) Appointments to the PCC The Architects Act 1997 (as amended, and subject to further amendment by statutory instrument) requires that: the Professional Conduct Committee will consist of four of the elected members of the Board* (architects who are registered), three of the government appointed members of the Board (not registered persons), six persons appointed by the Board, including three registered persons (architects), and three persons nominated by the President of the Law Society; and the chairman will be elected by the members of the Professional Conduct Committee from among themselves It also permits a chairman to resign by notice in writing addressed to the Registrar; authorises the removal of a chairman by a majority vote of the other members of the Professional Conduct Committee; and allows the Board to make Rules for the appointment of a person to act as chairman in the event of a vacancy or in such other circumstances as may be prescribed. Further, In view of (1) above, it will be well that persons accepting appointment to the ARB or its PCC are sufficiently aware that the purpose of the body re-constituted as the ARB under the Architects Act 1997 was somehow misaligned to serve another and narrower purpose under the pretended name of "consumer" protection, in respect of which the Board is practically impotent. A search of the Act (as amended) finds no mention of "consumer" (and "protection" is found only in Schedule 1A - Visiting Architects from Relevant European States). Note: For some time, at the instigation of the elected members, so as to avoid the potential conflict of "judging in their own cause", members of the Board have declined to sit on the PCC. [ top]
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