615) RICS is failing to deliver an acceptable level of regulation.

To the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary

and 

To the Chair, Ombudsman Services.

For Clarity - Attempt 615.

615) RICS is failing to deliver an acceptable level of regulation.

Dear Mr Clark and Lord Tim Clement Jones,

In Column 297 second paragraph, Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central eloquently sums up what we've been saying since 2010 - that the RICS has completely failed in its duty to work to benefit the public interest.

Jo Stevens states,

"Having attempted since late 2015 to get Lloyds, Alder King and RICS to meet with me and my constituent to address the issues I raised in my debate in September 2015, I have come to the conclusion that RICS is failing to deliver an acceptable level of regulation. Worse than that, it is doggedly maintaining in its public pronouncements that it is subscribing to the highest possible principles and standards, whereas in reality it is condoning practices that are untenable and universally condemned by other professional bodies. Whatever the reasons for its actions, be they the extent of the practices, the importance of the members concerned, compensation considerations or others, RICS is completely undermining a principle basis for its existence, namely the maintenance of public confidence in a professional body ....regulation has failed in the one area where it was most needed."

This powerful statement raises matters of huge significance: the role of Royal Charters, the need for robust regulation, corruption, collusion, governance, transparency and accountability all of which have been forced into the public arena due to the Grenfell Tower atrocity.

But also by the efforts of Labour politicians.

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, although RICS is failing to deliver an acceptable level of regulation it still monitors its appointed company - Ombudsman Services:Property - to ensure, "the effective resolution of disputes." Is this not a direct conflict of interests?

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, do you consider slashing financial awards - compensation considerations - from £1.511.76p in 2009 to just 50 quid in 2016 to be the effective resolution of a dispute?

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, this is indeed very effective for your RICS members whose fees pay for the service but what about their victims - their clients?

Q. Lord Tim Clement Jones, does this not go a long way in explaining why a number of complainants are so dissatisfied with your, "best efforts?"

A relationship whereby a regulator - RICS - monitors the way its ombudsman "resolves" disputes is untenable.

Q. Mr Clark, your department has a close and continuing relationship with this private redress scheme - do you assure consumers that when they take their complex and costly property disputes to this government approves and monitored scheme, that each and every one of them will be forensically examined by a fair and independent ombudsman?

Yours sincerely,

Steve Gilbert - Workstock number 510458

The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign