Welcome to the November eBulletin.

We have lots happening as we enter December. The retention fee collection period is underway, many of you have already paid or have taken advantage of our new text and calendar reminder services. In addition to this, we have launched our architects’ election website and have already received a significant number of enquiries. We were pleased to welcome a number of prospective candidates as observers to the 19 November Board Meeting and to a briefing session later that day. At this session we provided information on the role of ARB and what it means to be a Board member. If you are interested in being a Board Member you can find more information here.

At the Board meeting we took stock of ARB’s work over the autumn period, reviewing the Operational Activities Report. Furthermore, we approved a revised version of our Consultation Policy which builds on the best practice approaches used by other regulators and will make it easier for respondents to submit their views. This represents excellent progress towards one of the objectives we set in the 2015 business plan to review our commitment to transparency. Additionally, the Board reviewed progress against the actions set following the 2014 Board Effectiveness Review and pledged to undertake a similar evaluation for 2015.

We also had a very constructive discussion about ARB’s progress under its Equality Scheme which has seen us conducting an equality and diversity survey to collect data from registrants. We now hold data for around 35% of the Register. We will be publishing aggregate information shortly although personal information relating to individuals is, of course, held confidentially and is never disclosed. As a statutory regulator, we collect this data to help us make informed decisions and ensure our policies and procedures do not create barriers. Additionally, this data may inform the work of our stakeholders, who are also keen to understand more information about the profile of the profession.

As we approach the end of the year, please remember to pay your retention fee by 31 December 2015 so as to avoid the additional fees associated with removal and reinstatement. If your contact details have changed please remember you can update them quickly and easily via online services. The staff team are also on hand to respond to your enquiries and can be contacted via email at info@arb.org.uk and via telephone on +44 (0) 20 7580 5861.

Sincere good wishes to you and your families as we enter the festive season.