The CICV Forum, of which CECA Scotland is a member, has presented Holyrood with a paper of comprehensive recommendations to ease the cashflow crisis as the group continues fighting to save Scotland’s construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The paper, which outlines a series of urgently-needed actions to improve liquidity in the industry, will go to both public and private sector clients, while the Scottish Government will be kept informed and its support sought.

The most recent initiative by the Forum reinforces calls to the industry to ensure that payments are made on time to safeguard the sector’s future.

And it follows the revelation in a major survey in mid-April that cashflow has completely dried up for nearly 80% of firms in the sector and that that close to two thirds of businesses are being hit by late payments.

The paper, agreed by all members of the Forum, is aimed at assisting the supply chain through the months ahead to enable construction businesses to survive. It proposes:

• An agreement of an effective Final Account between contractors and employers, as well as between public bodies and design teams, on the value of work completed by March 30 this year and compromise to resolve disputed issues.

• Reduction in the payment cycle time frame for public bodies and agreed cash flow forecasts on recommencement.

• Involvement of the whole supply chain.

• Alternative methods of dispute resolution.

• Dealing with liquidated and ascertained damages at Final Account stage.

• The release of 50% of retentions held by the public sector, and of sector-wide historic retentions. Also, a retentions embargo for six months.

• The reduction of PBA thresholds and the use of existing low-cost adjudication schemes.

Grahame Barn, Chief Executive of CECA Scotland, said: “Just as the Government has rightly stepped in to inject cash into the economy, contractors and clients must play their part by keeping cash circulating through the sector.

“The construction industry needs to emerge from this crisis in the best shape it can and the best way of achieving this is for everyone to pay our suppliers in full and on time.”

The CICV Forum has already played a major role in clarifying conflicting information for the sector and issuing practical guidance for companies, clients and employees. It has now established a series of influential sub-groups dealing with mission-critical aspects such as Health and Safety, Skills, Communication and Future Planning.

You can download the full paper here: CICV Cashflow Report