Manifesto by Peter A Heathershaw for Presidential Year 2002-2003

"Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry Glennie for his sterling efforts during, what has been, a very busy year for ICES. Harry worked extremely hard, especially in trying to revitalise the regions - the backbone of our Institution - ultimately resulting in the revision of regional boundaries. Harry has also been at the forefront of discussions with RICS, helping to build stronger ties for the future between both our organisations, something I intend on strengthening during my time as President.

One of my most important tasks during the next twelve months will be to review and renew the existing ICES/ICE agreement. Personally, I have concerns regarding the current reciprocal membership policy between ICES and ICE and I hope that during my Presidential Year, we can go some way to resolving this, as well as other issues, during the redrafting of the agreement.

Another area I feel strongly about is the need to improve relations between regional membership and the staff at ICES HQ. I would like to see a greater involvement from the ICES staff in assisting regions with organising events and activities, and, where possible, also attending the events. I am fully aware that certain obstacles are sometimes seen to exist between the regions and the staff at HQ, resulting in a 'them and us' attitude. This resultant attitude can be extremely destructive to the advancement of ICES as a professional body and also to the relationships between the Regions and ICES HQ, and therefore, they should not be tolerated. I know that the staff at ICES HQ work very hard, in their limited numbers, to assist the regions as much as they can. However, I feel there is room for improvement from both sides, and during my year as President I will be visiting as many of the regions of the Institution as I can, offering support and guidance. To assist with the aforementioned, I recently took the decision to ask the Marketing and ET & M Membership Officers to attend all future Regional Chairman's Meetings where they will be given the opportunity to update the Regional Chairman on current matters.

One assumption that I would like to see the end of, is that of the Senior Vice-President taking on the Chairman's role of the International Regional Affairs Committee. This role within ICES is far too important not to have someone permanently at the helm. The regions need some continuity within their structure, without the inevitable problems brought about by an ever-changing figurehead. It is essential, as I mentioned earlier, that the regions are given as much support as possible. Installing a permanent International Regional Affairs Chair will, I hope amongst other things, strengthen the relationship between the regions and ICES HQ.

I also believe that changes need to be made with respect to the management control of SURCO Ltd, the marketing and publications company of ICES. SURCO Ltd is controlled, or should be, by its own board of directors. It seems that in the past too much involvement has come from various avenues within the Institution preventing SURCO Ltd from operating at its full potential. As long as SURCO Ltd adheres to 'good business practice', by rights they are only required to provide a written report to ICES Council of Management - outlining their activities and aspirations. I will strive to ensure that SURCO Ltd is allowed to build up its own cash reserve, with at least a working capital of six months. As long as SURCO Ltd meet the predicted profit forecast for the financial year I see no reason why they should not be allowed to negotiate additional retention of profit. With new legislation, effective from April this year, SURCO Ltd will be allowed to retain up to £10,000 without having to pay corporation tax. SURCO Ltd is a self-managed organisation that is ultimately responsible for its own destiny.

I am extremely pleased to see the introduction of a Technical Member grade within our membership infrastructure. It is vital to our future that we encourage membership from a 'grass-roots' level. Robin Jones, Chairman of the Education, Training and Membership (ET&M) Committee, along with Paul Brown the ET&M Officer, will continue to review, and revise where necessary, all ICES ET&M requirements. I am also delighted with the introduction of the ICES Graduates & Students Committee - operating under the guidance of the ET&M Committee. We need to give our full support to this Committee, helping the existing membership and encouraging further participation nationwide. This will not only increase the membership of our Institution but will also develop new and existing relationships with universities.

It is my intention to speak to and retain all existing Committee Chairman. I also intend to ensure that each member of the Council of Management has a clearly defined role with a responsibility that is relevant to their industry workplace.

Over recent times I have noticed a slight swing towards geospatial engineering within Civil Engineering Surveyor (CES). I would like to see a more balanced view within our journal, giving equal coverage to both commercial management and geospatial engineering, covering the up-to-date views, current trends and changes within civil engineering surveying. By achieving this, we can only improve awareness of what is happening within our industry and raise the overall profile of our Institution, as it seeks to serve it."

Do you agree with the new President? Has he got his priorities right? Email your opinions to [email protected]

29/10/02