CECA set to leave Construction Confederation

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has become the latest trade body to leave the Construction Confederation.

CECA's membership will cease at the end of 2009, after it balloted members at a meeting in December.

Five of the umbrella body's six original have now made the decision to leave, with only the Scottish Building Federation left.

The National Contractors Federation (NCF), Major Contractors Group (MCG), British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and National Federation of Builders (NFB) are all set to terminate their membership at the end of 2009.

The future of the CC has been in doubt ever since July's announcement that the Major Contractors Group (MCG) and the National Contractors Federation (NCF), would join the UK Contractors Group, a new organisation headed by former CC chief executive Stephen Ratcliffe.

The announcement coincided with news that the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) would launch a super-body of 24 construction bosses called the Construction Council which will lobby on industry issues.

CECA will not join the UKCG but it has announced that it will work together with the new body on several industry issues, including:

• Working with and advising the new CBI Construction Council
• Supporting the Construction Industry Joint Council which delivers the working rule agreement
• Sponsoring a construction industry environmental forum;
• and promoting health and safety in construction

UKCG chairman James Wates said: "CECA and UKCG have some common members and aspirations.  It makes sense for them to work together to avoid duplication and to achieve maximum value for their members.  I see this relationship deepening as the CBI Construction Council and UKCG develop their agendas in 2009."

Manus Adamson, chairman of Lancashire-based construction firm Adamson Group, took over as executive chairman of the CC in December 2008.

Following news of his appointment in Novmber 2008 Adamson said: "The Construction Confederation is going through a period of inevitable realignment as industry representation settles into a new shape following the creation of the CBI Construction Council and the transformation of the MCG and NCF into the UK Contractors Group."