KTP reps on BICC Working Groups announced

Following a call issued by the Council for members of the profession to represent it on the five BICC Working Groups in July, the KTP has informed the nominees formally in writing about its selection.

Advisory Board

The BICC forum consists of 25 stakeholders within the sector.  There are members who are Regulators, Educational Institutions, Employers, Workers’ representatives through unions, Developers, Financial Institutions, and the Professionals. The Kamra tal-Periti is one of three professional chambers represented on the BICC.

KTP’s representatives on the BICC Advisory Board are Perit Simone Vella Lenicker and Perit Amber Wismayer.

Working Groups

To function better the BICC has 5 Working Groups which are: Education, Training, Classification and Registration;  Property Market;  Regeneration of Property;  Research and Innovation; and Building Regulations and EU Directives; each working group has its own coordinator.  Furthermore, there are also a number of ad-hoc committees such as the Eurocode Technical Team, The Skill-Card team; and the Comfort in the home team.

Building Regulations & EU Directives

This working group oversees the revision and implementation of building regulations in Malta, as well as monitors the introduction of EU Directives affecting the building industry and consults accordingly. KTP’s representatives on this working group are Perit Philip Grech and Perit Andre Pizzuto.

 

Regeneration of Property

The purpose of this working group is to analyse how vacant properties can be upgraded to stimulate demand.  It also forwards proposals to Government on incentive schemes to encourage owners to refurbish their old properties. KTP’s representatives on this working group are Perit Amber Wismayer and Perit Eve Degiorgio.

 

​Property Market

This working group is currently working on the creation of a Property Price Index. KTP’s representatives on this working group are Perit Simone Vella Lenicker and Perit George Farrugia.

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Research & Innovation

This working group promotes research and innovative materials suitable for the local market. KTP’s representatives on this working group are Perit Konrad Xuereb and Perit Rebecca Dalli Gonzi.

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Education & Training

This working group is composed of educational institutions, professions, workers’ representatives and employers with the objective of creating courses for those involved in the sector and the general public. It is currently working on the introduction of the Skill-Cards.​ KTP’s representatives on this working group are Perit Luke Lapira and Perit Rene Cutajar.

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Case Study 1 | Taking Deposits and Not Delivering Services

One of the functions of the Kamra tal-Periti is to investigate complaints of misconduct made against members of the profession. Many of these cases are often cleared following mediation between the parties, however there are several instances where the Council finds the actions of the perit in question to be unacceptable and unbecoming to the profession.

This case study involves a complaint received from Complainant A in November 2016, wherein it was alleged that Complainant A had engaged the services of Perit X to survey their property and provide an estimate of the insurable value. Perit X inspected the property and requested a deposit of €80.00, and assured Complainant A that the report would be completed within three weeks.

Despite several attempts to contact Perit X, and several reminders by email, SMS and phone calls, the Complainant never received any form of report from Perit X. The Complainant therefore wrote to the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti stating that “months have now passed from the agreed delivery date and we are left with no other means of recourse (excluding legal) but to appeal to you on the grounds of professional ethics and basic decency. I strongly believe that the profession as a whole does not merit such an image and that such behaviour should be flagged and looked into”.

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti finds your behaviour to be completely unacceptable

In January 2017, the Council wrote to Perit X for comments, and the latter replied within a few days, stating that the deposit would be returned to the Complainant. However, more time passed, and the Complainant informed the Council that such deposit had not been returned. Therefore in March 2017, the Council wrote to Perit X again. In its letter the Council stated that “it finds this to be unacceptable behaviour on the part of a member of the profession, and in view of this you are requested (i) to apologise in writing to the complainant for your failure to provide the contracted services and for the delay in settling the repayment of the deposit, and (ii) to return the deposit, both within 2 weeks of this letter. You are also requested to copy the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti with your correspondence with the complainant as well as proof of repayment of said deposit“.

The two weeks passed, and once again no reply was forthcoming from Perit X. The Council sent a reminder at the end of March 2017, asking for Perit X to comply with its request by the 7th April 2017.

Perit X did not reply to the Council’s request, nor was any communication made with the Complainant. The Council therefore wrote to Perit X as follows:

“The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti finds your behaviour to be completely unacceptable, and unbecoming of a member of the profession. Furthermore, your behaviour is being considered as an act of disrespect towards the Council and the Kamra. The Council is therefore issuing a formal reprimand in your regard, which reprimand shall be registered in the Kamra’s records.“

This communication was copied to the Complainant.

The Council reminds members of the profession that, at all times, it is important to act in a manner which upholds ethical standards and common decency. Periti are reminded that, in accordance with Chapter 390 of the Laws of Malta, conduct which is deemed to be discreditable to the profession may be punishable through the suspension, revocation or cancellation of a warrant.

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New Lifts Regulations to come in force on 1st September 2017

The three year transitory period between the old lifts regulations EN 81-1:1998 and the new regulations EN 81-20:2014 will come to an end on 31st August, 2017.

 

The main changes consist in:

  • Greater refuge space requirements in the lift pit and on the car top within the headroom;
  • Increased protection from failing from the car roof;
  • Enhanced strength requirements in the well walls and doors;
  • Additional pit safety features;
  • Improved counterweight safety, notably counterweight safety gear requirements;
  • Overall increased safety for engineers, inspectors and any persons having to enter the lift well as part of their job role;
  • Increased safety for passengers.

Any new lift that is registered with the MCCAA after 31st August, 2017, must conform to the new regulations

 

A series of practice guidelines will be published on this website in the coming weeks.

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