Consultations

This consultation has now closed.  See here for responses.

Proposed amendments to the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB’s) General Rules

You are invited to comment on ARB’s proposed amendments to its General Rules (the Rules). The Rules cover a wide range of matters including elections to the Board, the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board, eligibility for Registration, fees and Board procedures.

The Board has identified a number of changes which it wishes to consider making to the Rules and these fall into two distinct areas. The proposals are covered in separate consultation documents 2008/03 and 2008/04 and separate responses are invited to these consultations.

Consultation 2008/03 - Amendments to the General Rules to reflect changes in the Architects Act 1997.

On 20 June 2008 amendments were made to the Architects Act 1997 (the Act) by Statutory Instrument (SI) in order to implement the European Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications into UK legislation. The main amendments to the Act (and other legislation) relate to the following:

• The introduction of two Parts to the Register, Part 1 for registration in the UK and Part 2 for those architects from other relevant European States, who wish to provide services in the UK on a temporary or occasional basis.
• Changes to the process by which ARB registers applicants who hold qualifications recognised in relevant European States other than the UK. Previously ARB sought evidence of experience from such applicants and this has now been replaced by a requirement that the applicant is lawfully established as an architect in another relevant European State or eligible to practise as an architect in another relevant European State.
• The introduction of a new General Systems route to registration which is available to applicants from other relevant European States where there are specific and exceptional reasons why the applicant cannot apply on the basis that they have secured a qualification recognised under the terms of the Directive. Should an applicant meet this initial test, ARB will consider whether the training the applicant has undergone covers substantially different matters than those required within the UK.  ARB may apply an aptitude test where there is a deficiency in the qualification that the applicant has. 

The amendments to the Act are numerous and detailed but the changes principally reflect the areas noted above.

As a result of the changes, the General Rules no longer reflect the terms of the Act and the Board proposes to update the Rules in order to ensure that ARB is complying with the Act within its own processes. Details of the specific changes are enclosed within the attached consultation and response papers.

Consultation 2008/04 - Amendments to General Rule 6 Elections – Chairman and Vice Chairman.

The Board is proposing a number of changes to General Rule 6.  These are administrative changes which would improve the smooth running of the election process.  The Board is also seeking views on the length of the term of office of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board.

Details of the changes are enclosed within the consultation and response papers.  The papers are also available to download from our website, www.arb.org.uk.  How to respond to the Consultation is included within the Consultation Paper.

You are invited to submit your response no later than 5pm on 15 August 2008.

Yours sincerely
                                                       
Alison Carr
Registrar and Chief Executive

Amendments to the General Rules to reflect changes in the Architects Act 1997 Consultation Policy

Amendments to the General Rules to reflect changes in the Architects Act 1997 Response Form

Amendments to General Rule 6 – Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman Consultation Policy

Amendments to General Rule 6 – Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman Consultation Policy Response Form