18 May 2018 - Report on LABSS AGM and Conference 2018

42nd LABSS AGM and Conference - 18th May 2018 DundeeThe LABSS 42nd AGM and Conference was held on 18th May 2018 at Discovery Point in Dundee. The event was well attended including Guests and Guest speakers. The guests speakers at this years event were excellent providing very informative presentations.
Colin Hird (BSD) provided an overview of the current Fire Safety Review, the UK wide context of Grenfell and the Scottish Government response.
Lorna Stimpson (LABC) provided an update on LABC's perspective of recent events and the impact this has upon Local Authority Building Control in England and Wales
Alan McAulay (LABSS) provided an instructive presentation on the impact that recent events have had upon verifiers.
Jim McGonigal (IFE) provided a presentation on how the Meechan and Dame Judith Hackett reports have impacted upon the Fire Engineering community.
David Latto (SFRS) presented on the impact of Grenfell upon the Fire Service. The presentation covered SFRS strategic and practical response post Grenfell.
Link to presentations: PRESENTATIONS
 
As part of the day LABSS performed formal presentations.
The James Delury Award for Individual Service Commitment
Due to the high standards of nominations for 2017-2018 
The James Delury Award for Individual Service Commitment was presented to two people.

Lennox Blyth - Scottish Borders was presented The James Delury Award for Individual Service Commitment 
by Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)

David Provan on belhalf of Derek Bramma (North Lanarkshire Council) was presented
The James Delury Award for Individual Service Commitment 
by Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)
 
The Outstanding Team Award

From Left to right: Euan Cameron  and Gordon Caird (Dundee City Council) were presented The Oustanding Team Award by
Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)
 
The Customer Focus Award

Scott Davidson (Fife Council) was presented The Customer Focus Award by
Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)
 
Retiral Gifts
The following people were presented with retiral gifts from LABSS as a thank you for their contribution and various
work undertaken on belhalf of the LABSS.

Muir Somerville (Retired) was presented his retiral gift by
Alan McAuley - Building Standards Team Leader (South Lanarkshire Council)

Len Murray ( Angus Council) was presented his retiral gift by
Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)

Bill Black ( Perth and Kinross Council) was presented his retiral gift by
Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)
Presentation to Past Chair,Administartion Convenor and Assistant Administartion Convenor stepping down
The following people were presented with gifts from LABSS as a thank you for their contribution and various
work undertaken on belhalf of the LABSS as they were stepping down from their current roles.

Gordon Spence - Past Chair/Building Standards Manager (Aberdeen City)
William Clark - Administartion Convenor/Principal Building Standards Officer (Moray Council)
Alex MaCalman - Assistant Admin Convenor/Assistant Manager (Renfrewshire Council)
were presented a thank you gift by Dave Aitken - LABSS Chair/Building Standards Manager (Dundee City Council)
 
Executive Nominations
During the proceedings of the AGM The Management of the Association of LABSS comprises of an executive, of duly elected office bearers.
The executive consist of the following going into 2018/2019
Chair - James Whiteford (Scottish Borders Council)
Vice Chair - Scott Mackenzie (North Ayrshire Council)
Strategy Director - Neil Mitchell (Fife Council)
Finance Convenor - Mike Millar (Angus Council)
Administartion Convenor - Pamela Clark ( Aberdeenshire Council)
Non Executive Nominations
Junior Vice Chair - Vacant
STAS Chair - Alan McAulay
Assistant Administartion Convenor - Eileen McCutcheon
 
Outgoing Chair Dave Aitken reflected on his time as chair of LABSS over the last 12 months and extended his gratitude to the LABSS executive and mangement board for their support and to various LABSS sub-groups for their work throughout the year. The incoming Chair James Whiteford then spoke in relation to looking to the future and expressed his gratitude as being elected Chair of LABSS.

James Whiteford - Chair being presented the Chain of Office by
Dave Aitken - Past Chair  
aboard the RRS Discovery - Discovery Point,Dundee

From left to right: LABSS Executive and Consultant
Finance Convenor - Mike Millar (Angus Council)
Administartion Convenor - Pamela Clark ( Aberdeenshire Council)
Strategy Director - Neil Mitchell (Fife Council)
Past Chair - Dave Aitken (Dundee City Council)
Chair - James Whiteford (Scottish Borders Council)
LABSS Consultant - Bob Renton
Vice Chair - Scott Mackenzie (North Ayrshire Council)
All aboard the RRS Discovery - Discovery Point,Dundee
 
James Whiteford closed the AGM and Conference by thanking everyone for there attendance.

 
 
Attendee feedback
Please see below some of the feedback received from attendees of the AGM and Conference:
What was specifically memorable or most useful about the conference?
 
'The calibre of the presenters and the quality of presentation content.'
 
'The whole event. The venue was excellent and whilst the weather helped, I enjoyed having the
opportunity to visit The Discovery.'
 
'Nothing specific but the entire event felt right from the start - well done to all'
 
'Great to catch up will old friends and colleagues, plus enjoyed presentations'
 
'In the light of the DJH recommendations (presented on the day ) , the opportunity for LABSS to
continue its continual improvement agenda and positive influence on the building stock of Scotland'
 
Next LABSS AGM and Conference May 2019 location to be confirmed