Pro Installer January 2018 - Issue 58 | Page 33

JANUARY 2018 | 33 GGF News Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) was cautiously optimistic in response to housebuilding announcements made at the 2017 Budget. Despite the government’s focus on housebuilding, the GGF be- lieves more action is needed to ensure the UK meets the target of building 300,000 homes per year. The GGF was also disappointed the Budget contained no meas- ures to increase the ener- gy efficiency of the UK’s homes, some of the worst performing in Europe. TOWER BRIDGE VICTORY When voting closed in Housebuilding programmes Governments of all col- ours have proposed speed- ing up the planning process and unlocking public sector land, but the UK’s house- building rate has remained well below target over the last decade. Therefore, the GGF does not expect to see a sudden surge in house- building, particularly at a time when confidence in the construction sector in the year ahead dropped to its lowest level since December 2012. The lack of a ‘Whole House Approach’ All housebuilding pro- grammes should be centred on a ‘Whole House Ap- proach’ to ensure new and existing homes are energy efficient and can keep people warm during winter. The GGF was disappointed the government failed to include measures to ensure housing stock is energy efficient. www.MyGlazing.com the national round of the MyGlazing.com Window with a View competition, it revealed an outstanding shortlist made up of 11 finalists. The incredibly close public vote chose Tower Bridge in London as the winner of the compe- tition. Despite some fierce com- petition from runners up The Lighthouse, Glasgow, and Emirates Spinnaker in Portsmouth, the stunning view from London’s Tower Bridge eventually took the national crown. Tower Bridge’s Window with a View-winning glass floor is 11 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and made up of laminated glass panels weighing 530kg each. There’s one on each of the attraction’s high-level walkways, overlooking one of the most famous bridg- es in the world but also providing a spectacular bird’s eye view of London life from above the River Thames. In just its second year, the Window with a View competition has gathered real momentum and has now become an excellent feature on the GGF’s con- sumer website MyGlazing. com. www.MyGlazing.com Lifetime Achievement Award It was a memorable evening at the G17 Awards at Park Lane Hilton as Greg O’Donoghue re- ceived The GGF Lifetime Achieve- ment Award for his outstanding contribution to the industry. am truly stunned but delighted “ to I have won this award ” As well as being major sponsors for the event the GGF decided to mark its 40th anniversary year with this special Lifetime Achieve- ment Award. Given his exceptional list of achievements for the industry such as being a co-founder of FENSA - the competent persons’ scheme, and ensuring glazing was included in the TrustMark scheme, Greg deservedly won the award after 35 years in the industry. In 2000, Greg was elected GGF President and then in 2002 as Chairman of FENSA he negotiated with government to bring about legislative change which has proved to be for the benefit of the entire industry and consumers. On winning the award Greg commented: “I am truly stunned but delighted to have won this award.” www.MyGlazing.com