Publication of Annual Report 2000/2001 (10/07/2001)
The Architects Registration Board has published its 2000/2001 Annual Report. In this, the fourth annual review of its activities, the Board details its ongoing work in fulfilling its statutory duties under the Architects Act 1997, and reflects on a year of progress and improvement.
In her foreword, Chairwoman Barbara Kelly reports:
"The year 2000 has seen further important progress in ARB's determination to build an organisation working in the public interest which is responsive to the needs of the consumer, while also delivering efficiently our statutory responsibilities."
The Report highlights the following:
Education:
* A review of the criteria for validating courses in schools of architecture
* During the last academic year, 7 validation visits were undertaken, 216 candidates went though the assessment process, and 27 schools of architecture were visited as part of the ARB schools liaison process
*Continuing dialogue on reciprocity for registration, including participation in the Transatlantic Economic Partnership talks and membership of the Architects' Council in Europe to take this issue forward
Registration:
* The retention fee of £55 is held at the same level for 2002
*Introduction of pro rata retention fee for first time registrants and a facility for credit card payments
* 29,905 individuals were registered with ARB as at December 2000, an increase of 76 over the previous year-end figure. Of these, 88% were male; 12% female
* The total number of architects in the UK stood at 27,560 and overseas architects totalled 2,345
* From Autumn 2001, active monitoring of Professional Indemnity Insurance will require architects to provide an undertaking that they have appropriate cover
Regulation:
* New Professional Conduct Committee cautioning process for architects whose conduct falls short of a referral to the Committee
* Implications of Human Rights Act on the disciplinary process have been taken on board and dealt with
* ARB successfully prosecuted three cases of title abuse during 2000, a reflection of ARB's ongoing vigilance to minimise misrepresentation
* ARB received and dealt with 826 enquiries from consumers relating to architects' services
* During 2000, the Investigation Committee considered 26 matters. Of these, 13 were dismissed on the basis of no case to answer; 2 were referred to the Board's solicitors for advice; 6 were sent to investigators, and 5 were referred direct to the Professional Conduct Committee
* The implementation of revised Rules of Investigation further strengthened ARB's work in this area
ARB's Chief Executive & Registrar, Robin Vaughan, comments:
"For the future, we hope to build on the blocks we now have firmly in place. I want to ensure that we deliver a system of education for registration in the United Kingdon that builds the reputation of architects and meets the need of consumers. I want us to continue to develop the Register so that it is an accurate and useful document for the profession and for consumers. In our Conduct and Regulation work, I look to deliver a regime that is fair, firm and fast ... and that we continue to communicate what it is we are doing on behalf of the profession and consumers."
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