Strategic Forum secures DTI funding

The Strategic Forum's future is secure following "positive" meetings with the Department of Trade & Industry over funding.

And chairman Peter Rogers has revealed that there will be some "radical new approaches for the Forum".

"Now that we have done the groundwork and broadly met targets set out in Accelerating Change, we will be looking to tackle strategic issues such as sustainability in the coming years," he said.

"Although the bedding-in of the forum took longer than expected, we can now flex some muscle and push through change in the industry."

The forum will receive an undisclosed figure of funding for the coming year and is in the process of completing its annual performance report, which will be published later this month.

The forum is also expected to work closely with the recently formed Sustainable Construction Task Group, although it is expected that the group's name will be changed to the Sustainable Forum to meet the government's agenda.